ILO & International Labour — Set 12

Correct Answer: B. Migrant Workers

ILO Convention No. 97 (1949) deals with Migration for Employment and was one of the first international instruments to address the rights of migrant workers. It requires member states to maintain appropriate free services to assist migrants, provide accurate information about migration, take appropriate measures against misleading propaganda, and ensure equality of treatment for migrant workers already legally admitted to their territory. The convention has been supplemented by Convention No. 143 (1975) on Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions). Given India's large diaspora and history of migration, particularly to Gulf countries, the treatment of migrant workers is highly relevant to India.

Correct Answer: B. Social unrest arising from poor working conditions during the Industrial Revolution and after World War I

The ILO was established in 1919 primarily in response to widespread social unrest arising from the exploitative working conditions created during the Industrial Revolution and the discontent that contributed to World War I. Workers in many countries faced extremely long working hours, dangerous conditions, child labour, and poverty wages. The peace negotiators at Versailles recognised that lasting peace required social justice. The Russian Revolution of 1917 had also demonstrated the potential consequences of ignoring labour rights, making western governments more receptive to international labour standards.

Correct Answer: B. Address modern forms of forced labour including trafficking and domestic servitude

The Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention (P029) supplements Convention No. 29 to address contemporary forms of forced labour, including human trafficking and labour exploitation. The protocol recognises that forced labour has evolved and that new measures are needed to prevent it, protect victims, and ensure access to remedies such as compensation. It requires member states to develop national policies and action plans against all forms of forced labour. P029 was adopted to modernise the framework of Convention No. 29 (1930), which while foundational, did not specifically address issues like debt bondage, contract substitution, or domestic servitude.

Correct Answer: C. 1951

The Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) was established by the ILO Governing Body in 1951 to examine complaints regarding violations of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. It is a tripartite body composed of an independent chair and equal numbers of government, employer, and worker members. The CFA has become one of the most active bodies in the international labour standards supervisory system, examining hundreds of cases each year. Its unique feature is that it can examine complaints even when the country has not ratified the relevant freedom of association conventions.

Correct Answer: B. 1977

The ILO's Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) was first adopted in 1977 by the Governing Body of the ILO. It has been subsequently updated and amended, with the most recent update in 2017. The MNE Declaration provides guidance to multinational enterprises, governments, and employers' and workers' organisations on employment practices, training, conditions of work, and industrial relations. While not legally binding, it represents the consensus of all three groups of ILO constituents on responsible business conduct by multinationals.

Correct Answer: B. Use of labour-based technologies in infrastructure investment to maximise local employment

The ILO's Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) promotes the use of labour-based (labour-intensive) technologies in infrastructure investment as a means of maximising local employment, particularly for low-income and unskilled workers. The programme demonstrates that infrastructure can be built using more locally available resources, equipment, and labour rather than capital-intensive equipment, while maintaining quality standards. EIIP has been particularly active in developing countries in Africa and Asia, where unemployment and poverty are highest. This approach creates both physical assets (roads, waterways, housing) and income for workers.

Correct Answer: D. ILO does not use this acronym but monitors labour standards in export processing zones

The ILO does not use the acronym EPZA but closely monitors labour standards in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) or Special Economic Zones (SEZs). EPZs often have different labour regulations than the rest of a country, sometimes with exemptions from normal labour laws. The ILO has raised concerns about labour standards in EPZs and the impact on workers' rights, particularly regarding freedom of association and collective bargaining. The ILO works with governments to ensure that workers in EPZs have the same protections as workers in other sectors.

Correct Answer: B. Caused the worst global employment crisis in decades, particularly affecting informal workers

The ILO's World Employment and Social Outlook reports on COVID-19 identified the pandemic as causing the worst global employment crisis since World War II and the Great Depression. The pandemic led to a dramatic reduction in working hours, massive job losses, and particularly severe impacts on informal workers who lacked social protection. The ILO reported that women, young workers, and workers in low-income countries were disproportionately affected. The ILO called for strong policy responses, including job retention schemes, expanded social protection, and support for enterprises to survive the crisis while protecting workers.

Correct Answer: C. Agriculture

According to ILO data, agriculture globally employs the most workers in developing countries, accounting for a large proportion of the workforce in low-income countries in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Agricultural workers are among the most vulnerable, often lacking formal employment contracts, social security coverage, and protection under national labour laws. The ILO works to extend labour protections to agricultural workers through conventions and technical assistance. In India, the agricultural sector employs approximately 40-45% of the workforce, making it the largest employer.

Correct Answer: B. Consolidate and modernise India's complex labour laws with the aim of better aligning with decent work principles

India's four Labour Codes – the Code on Wages (2019), the Industrial Relations Code (2020), the Code on Social Security (2020), and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020) – consolidate and modernise India's complex web of central labour laws. These codes aim to simplify labour regulations, extend coverage to more workers including informal and gig workers, and improve compliance with labour standards. While there are concerns about some provisions, the codes broadly aim to advance decent work principles by extending social security and protections. The ILO has been engaged with India on the development of these codes in relation to international labour standards.