After months of pressure from trade unions,
the right to strike has been recognized by the employers’ group at the
International Labour Organization (ILO) following a crucial tripartite meeting
in Geneva from 23 to 25 February. A joint statement from the employers’
and workers’ groups at the meeting affirms that the right to industrial action
is recognized by the ILO. The bilateral ceasefire promotes a package of
proposals to end the deadlock that has led to an impasse at the ILO since 2012.
The proposals will now be put to the ILO’s governing body in March for
approval.
Employers’ groups have been challenging the
right to strike because it is not explicitly expressed in ILO Convention 87,
even though for years it has been universally accepted by governments, workers
and employers alike. This has meant that cases of serious labour violations in
many countries have been left un addressed by the ILO as the employers’ group
refused to budge on the issue. The statement follows a global protest day in
defence of the right to strike by ITUC its affiliates and union federations on
18 February, involving more than 100 actions in over 60 countries. The protests
were designed to put pressure on both governments and employers at the ILO.
In India, all Central Trade Unions joined
together in the call for protest on 18th February and signing the Resolution.
The CTU leaders met the Minister of Labour & Employment on 19th February,
2015 and represented for the Government of India support to workers on their
fundamental right to strike and handed over the jointly signed Resolution to
him.
Significantly, the Government Group, which had
previously been split on the issue, strongly endorsed the right to strike at
the February meeting. In a statement at the discussions it said: “The
Government Group recognizes that the right to strike is linked to freedom
of association, which is a fundamental principle and right at work of the ILO.
The Government Group specifically recognizes that without protecting a right to
strike, Freedom of Association, in particular the right to organize activities
for the purpose of promoting and protecting workers’ interests cannot be fully
realized.”
Source :
www.gservants.com
