Participation in the 107^th Session of the International Labour Conference

The Macao delegation, consisting of Mr. Choi Kam Fu, representative of the employees' organizations, Mr. Wang Sai Man, representative of the employers' organizations of the Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs, Mr. Leng Sai Vai, representative of the employers' organizations of the Concern Committee for the Employment of Non-resident Workers, Mr. Wong Chi Hong, Director of the Labour Affairs Bureau and Ms. Choi Kit Wa, Division Head of the Bureau, as advisory members of the delegation of China, attended the 107^th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland from 28^th May to 8^th June 2018.

The key issues of the conference were:
1. Effective ILO development cooperation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (general discussion)
2. Violence and harassment against women and men in the world of work (standard setting, double discussion)
3. A recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of social dialogue and tripartism, under the follow-up to the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, 2008
4. Abrogation of Conventions Nos 21, 50, 64, 65, 86 and 104 and withdrawal of Recommendations Nos 7, 61 and 62
5. Approval of the amendments to the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

1. Towards 2030: Effective development cooperation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (Report IV of the International Labour Office)

Since the International Labour Conference last discussed the role of the International Labour Organization in technical cooperation in 2006, the context in which development cooperation is taking place has changed profoundly, making a discussion on the future of ILO development cooperation essential. Hence, a general discussion on the above issue was carried out and a number of guiding principles and a roadmap for technical cooperation were adopted by the Conference. Meanwhile, it was suggested that governments should, in consultation with employers' and workers' organizations, consider: (1) strengthening policy coherence, including the role of the ILO with international financial institutions, and aligning with relevant financing modalities in support of achieving decent work and the Sustainable Development Goals; (2) promoting engagement with the private sector as the key driver of growth and jobs, while safeguarding the interests of employers and workers; and (3) creating an enabling environment in which employers' and workers' organizations can develop and function independently.

2. Ending violence and harassment against women and men in the world of work (Report V of the International Labour Office)

As violence and harassment in the world of work affects all occupations and sectors of economic activity around the world, including the private and public sectors and the formal and informal economies, in the conference, the above issue was examined from the perspective of rights, protection and prevention for all. Meanwhile, the types of violence and harassment in the world of work where international standards are absent or limited, particularly on: work-related physical violence, such as assault; psychological violence, such as mobbing, bullying and harassment; and sexual violence, such as sexual harassment were also discussed. Finally, the Conference decided an item entitled "Violence and harassment in the world of work" shall be included in the agenda of its next ordinary session for second discussion with a view to the adoption of a Convention supplemented by a Recommendation.

3. Social dialogue and tripartism (Report VI of the International Labour Office)

During the conference, the discussion covered: (1) What are the challenges and opportunities related to strengthening social dialogue? (2) How can social dialogue become more inclusive and address current and future challenges? (3) How can ILO action on social dialogue be improved?

The Conference eventually decided on a new framework for action that includes a set of measures to promote social dialogue and tripartism. It called on the ILO to assist its members in strengthening social dialogue in all its forms and all levels in line with ILO standards through capacity building and strengthening development cooperation, enhanced research and training, as well as standards-related action and improving policy coherence. ILO members should respect, promote and realize the principles concerning the fundamental rights of employers and workers and their organizations to freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, and create an enabling legal and institutional environment to promote effective social dialogue.

Regarding the resolution on promoting effective development cooperation to realize the Sustainable Development Goals, the delegation of China delivered a speech at the conference and advocated incorporating the concept of building a community of shared future for human beings into the resolution, emphasizing a win-win cooperation is absolutely vital in the current era of globalization, and the realization of the lofty goal of decent work for all requires that every country firmly establishes the concept of mutual beneficial cooperation and initiates effective development cooperation in the international labour field. In addition, during the conference, Ms. Zhang Yizhen, the Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, delivered a speech on "Reducing Gender Gap to Ensure Women's Access to Full and Quality Employment" and pointed out that reducing gender gap in the labour market and ensuring women's access to full and quality employment are an important task facing all countries around the world today. The Chinese Government has made gender equality as one of its basic state policy, adhered to the people-centred development and strived to protect the legitimate rights and interests of women, to optimize the environment for their development and to improve their social status, so that they can equally participate in economic and social development and enjoy the fruits of reform and development.

The above is a summary of the 107^th Session of the International Labour Conference.

                                             Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs