The International Labour Organization (ILO) has published a set of key provisions of international labour standards relevant to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, including specific guidance on policy measures that extend to fishers as well.
According to Guy Ryder, ILO’s Director-General, International labour standards provide a tried-and-trusted foundation for policy responses that focus on a recovery that is sustainable and equitable.
The ILO maintains a system of international labour standards (ILS) aimed at promoting opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity.
Labour standards are a useful decent work compass in the context of the crisis response to the COVID 19 outbreak.
First, respecting key provisions of ILS relating to safety and health, working arrangements, protection of specific categories of workers, non-discrimination, social security or employment protection is the guarantee that workers, employers and government maintain decent work while adjusting to the COVID19 pandemic.
Secondly, a wide range of ILO labour standards on employment, social protection, wage protection, SMEs promotion or workplace cooperation contain specific guidance on policy measures that would encourage a human-centred approach to the crisis and to its recovery.
Their guidance extends to the specific situation of certain categories of workers, such as nursing personnel, domestic workers, migrant workers, seafarers or fishers, who we know are very vulnerable in the current context.
Respect for these standards further contributes to a culture of social dialogue and workplace cooperation that is key to building the recovery and preventing a downward spiral in employment and labour conditions during and after the crisis.
International labour standards illustrate expected conduct and embody resilience in front of concrete situations in the world of work and are fundamental to any long-lasting and sustainable response to pandemics including the COVID-19. Developed and periodically reviewed and where needed revised over the past century, international labour standards respond to the changing patterns of the world of work, for the purpose of the protection of workers and taking into account the needs of sustainable enterprises.
In 2019, the Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work reaffirmed that the setting, promotion, ratification and supervision of international labour standards is of fundamental importance to the ILO. All ILO legal instruments lay down the basic minimum social standards agreed upon by all the players in the global economy. Countries may implement higher levels of protection and enhanced measures so as to better mitigate the impact of the crisis.
International Labour Organization