ILO & International Labour — Set 4

Correct Answer: B. ILO's statistical database on labour

ILOSTAT is the ILO's main statistical database, providing comprehensive and internationally comparable labour statistics for more than 200 countries and territories. It covers indicators such as employment, unemployment, wages, working hours, labour productivity, and occupational safety. ILOSTAT also provides methodological tools, guidelines, and training to help countries improve their national labour statistics. The database is freely accessible and is widely used by researchers, policymakers, and international organisations.

Correct Answer: C. ILO

The World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) report is published by the ILO. It provides analysis of global employment and social trends, including projections for employment, unemployment, and decent work deficits worldwide. The WESO report is one of the ILO's flagship publications and is released regularly to inform policymakers, employers, workers, and the public about the state of the global labour market. It also includes thematic sections on specific labour market issues and policy recommendations.

Correct Answer: C. 2017

India ratified ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour in June 2017. This ratification along with Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age was significant as it demonstrated India's commitment to eliminating child labour. With India's ratification, Convention No. 182 achieved near-universal ratification. India also amended its Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act in 2016 to align with the convention's requirements before ratifying it.

Correct Answer: C. 2017

India ratified ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Employment in 2017, simultaneously with Convention No. 182. This was a significant step as India had been hesitant to ratify this convention for many years. The ratification was preceded by amendments to domestic child labour laws. India's ratification of both child labour conventions in 2017 was widely welcomed by the international community and child rights advocates.

Correct Answer: C. 1978

India ratified ILO Convention No. 144 on Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) in 1978. This convention requires effective consultation between representatives of governments, employers, and workers on matters related to ILO activities. India's ratification reflects its commitment to the tripartite approach in labour relations, even though India has not ratified Conventions No. 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining. The tripartite consultation mechanism is operationalised in India through bodies like the Indian Labour Conference.

Correct Answer: B. Convention No. 87 (Freedom of Association)

India has not ratified ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise. India also has not ratified Convention No. 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining. The non-ratification of these conventions has been attributed to concerns about their implications for restrictions on trade unions in essential services and the public sector in India. The ILO has consistently encouraged India to ratify these fundamental conventions.

Correct Answer: C. Convention No. 81

Convention No. 81 on Labour Inspection is not a fundamental convention but a Priority or Governance Convention. The eight fundamental conventions of the ILO are: No. 29 (Forced Labour), No. 87 (Freedom of Association), No. 98 (Collective Bargaining), No. 100 (Equal Remuneration), No. 105 (Abolition of Forced Labour), No. 111 (Discrimination), No. 138 (Minimum Age), and No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour). Convention No. 81 is one of the four Priority Governance Conventions alongside No. 122, No. 129, and No. 144.

Correct Answer: B. Wage trends and wage policies globally

The ILO's Global Wage Report, published biennially, analyses wage trends and wage policies around the world. It provides information on real wage growth, wage inequality, minimum wages, and the gender wage gap in different countries and regions. The report informs policymakers and social partners about wage developments and their implications for economic growth and social equality. It is one of the ILO's key flagship publications and serves as an important reference for wage policy discussions globally.

Correct Answer: B. The 8-hour workday

The Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919 (Convention No. 1), adopted at the first International Labour Conference (Washington Convention, 1919), established the principle of the 8-hour workday and the 48-hour week in industrial establishments. This was one of the most significant early achievements of the ILO, as it addressed one of the most pressing concerns of the labour movement of that era. The 8-hour workday was a major demand of workers worldwide and its international standardisation was a milestone in labour history. India ratified this convention in 1921.

Correct Answer: B. Sanctions and withdrawal of technical assistance

The ILO played a crucial role in the international campaign against apartheid in South Africa by adopting resolutions condemning apartheid, calling for sanctions against South Africa, and withdrawing technical assistance programmes. In 1964, the ILO adopted the Declaration concerning the Policy of Apartheid of the Republic of South Africa. The ILO also compiled reports documenting apartheid's impact on the labour rights of black South African workers. This contributed to the growing international pressure that eventually helped bring about the end of apartheid in 1994.