ILO & International Labour — Set 8

Correct Answer: B. Jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment

The ILO's Green Jobs initiative promotes decent work in economic activities that contribute to preserving, restoring, or reducing environmental impact, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, green construction, and environmental management. Green jobs reduce the environmental impact of enterprises and economic sectors to sustainable levels. The ILO's Green Jobs programme works with governments, employers, and workers to develop policies and programmes that create green jobs while ensuring they are also decent jobs. Green jobs are considered central to both environmental sustainability and decent work goals.

Correct Answer: B. Committee on Freedom of Association

The Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) is the ILO body responsible for examining complaints about violations of trade union rights and freedom of association. The CFA was established in 1951 and examines complaints submitted by governments or employers' and workers' organisations against member states. Uniquely, it can examine complaints even when the member state has not ratified the relevant freedom of association conventions. The CFA has examined thousands of cases since its establishment and its recommendations carry significant weight in the development of international labour standards.

Correct Answer: B. 1960

India ratified ILO Convention No. 111 on Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) in 1960. This convention requires member states to declare and pursue a national policy designed to promote equality of opportunity and treatment in employment. India's ratification aligns with the constitutional provisions against discrimination and the principle of equality enshrined in Articles 14-16 of the Indian Constitution. India has also enacted various laws to combat discrimination in employment based on sex, caste, and religion.

Correct Answer: B. Employment, Social Protection, Rights at Work, and Social Dialogue

The ILO's Decent Work Agenda is structured around four strategic objectives: creating jobs and opportunities for productive employment (employment), extending social protection and social security (social protection), promoting the application of international labour standards and fundamental principles and rights at work (rights at work), and strengthening tripartism and social dialogue (social dialogue). These four pillars are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Together, they provide an integrated framework for promoting decent work and social justice globally.

Correct Answer: B. Improving labour conditions in global supply chains, particularly in garment sector

The ILO's Better Work programme is a partnership between the ILO and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) that focuses on improving labour conditions and promoting economic growth in global supply chains, with particular emphasis on the garment sector. Better Work operates in countries like Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Haiti, and others, assessing factories against ILO core labour standards and national labour law. The programme provides advisory services to factories to help them improve compliance and supports industry-wide dialogue. Better Work has demonstrated that improving labour standards and business performance can go hand in hand.

Correct Answer: B. Prevent discrimination against HIV-positive workers and promote workplace policies on HIV/AIDS

The ILO's programme on HIV/AIDS and the world of work promotes non-discrimination, confidentiality, and gender equality in the workplace in the context of HIV/AIDS. It supports the development of workplace policies and programmes that prevent HIV transmission, reduce stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive workers, and ensure care and support. ILO Recommendation No. 200 (2010) on HIV and AIDS and the World of Work provides a comprehensive framework for workplace action on HIV/AIDS. The programme recognises that workplaces are both important sites for HIV prevention and places where HIV-positive workers have specific protection needs.

Correct Answer: C. All member states regardless of development level

The ILO's mandate extends to all its member states regardless of their level of economic development. The ILO's international labour standards and programmes apply universally, though the ILO recognises that different countries have different capacities and circumstances. Technical cooperation programmes are particularly targeted at developing countries to help them build capacity to implement labour standards. The ILO's supervisory system monitors compliance with ratified conventions in all member states. The universality of the ILO's mandate reflects its founding principle that universal peace cannot be established without social justice.

Correct Answer: B. Union Minister of Labour and Employment

The Indian Labour Conference (ILC), which should not be confused with the International Labour Conference, is the apex level tripartite consultative body in India and is chaired by the Union Minister of Labour and Employment. It discusses important labour and employment matters and its recommendations guide the development of labour legislation and policy. The ILC brings together representatives of central and state governments, central trade unions, and employers' organisations. India's tripartite consultation mechanism through the ILC reflects the country's commitment to ILO Convention No. 144 on Tripartite Consultation.

Correct Answer: A. League of Nations

The ILO was originally part of the League of Nations, as both organisations were established through the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. When the League of Nations was dissolved after World War II, the ILO became the first specialised agency of the newly formed United Nations in 1946. The continuity of the ILO through the transition from the League to the UN demonstrated the recognition of the importance of labour standards in international relations. The ILO is unique among the post-League institutions in having successfully made this transition.

Correct Answer: B. June 12

The World Day Against Child Labour is observed on June 12 each year, as designated by the ILO. The day focuses attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Each year, the ILO and its partners focus attention on a different aspect of child labour. The day was first observed in 2002 as part of the ILO's IPEC programme to galvanise the worldwide movement against child labour. Activities on this day include awareness campaigns, workshops, and events highlighting the plight of working children.