Participation in the 111^th Session of the Labour International Conference

The Macao delegation consisting of Mr. Leong Pou U and Ms. O Lai Heong, representatives of the employees’ organizations, Mr. Vong Kok Seng and Mr. Wong Yeuk Lai Alan, representatives of the employers’ organizations, Director Wong Chi Hong of the Labour Affairs Bureau and Department Head Chan Weng Chi of the Bureau, government representatives, of the Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs, as advisory members of the delegation of China, attended the 111^th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland from 3rd to 11^th June 2023.

The key issues of the Conference were:
1.     Apprenticeships (standard-setting, second discussion)
2.     A recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of social protection (labour protection)
3.     Just transition (general discussion)

Apprenticeships (standard-setting, second discussion)
The first discussion on this topic conducted by the International Labour Conference at its 110th session (2022) revealed a broad consensus that it should: create an enabling environment for promoting quality apprenticeships; develop quality apprenticeships as a path to decent work; provide lifelong learning opportunities to enhance productivity, resilience, transitions and the employability of apprentices; design effective regulatory frameworks; involve workers’ and employers’ organizations in the design and implementation of policies and systems; prevent and address labour rights violations; and ensure equality and diversity in the provision of apprenticeships. On the basis of these discussion results, the Labour International Office formulated the text of a proposed recommendation concerning quality apprenticeships, which was adopted by the Conference in this session after discussion and named as “Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023”.

A recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of social protection (labour protection)
The first recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of social protect (labour protection) was held by the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference (2015). That discussion resulted in the adoption of conclusions that the regulation of working conditions in the areas of wages, working time, occupational safety and health (OSH) and maternity protection was central to effective and inclusive labour protection. Hence, in this session the Conferenced reviewed the six dimensions of labour protection: three dimensions highlighted in the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization (namely wages, working time and OSH, including the right to be free from violence and harassment), two traditional dimensions (namely maternity protection and employment protection), and one dimension that has gained prominence with the digitalization of the economy (i.e. the protection of workers’ personal data). After discussing the progress already achieved and outstanding challenges presented in the above six dimensions, the Conference adopted several conclusions and requested the Director-General to formulate a plan of action giving effect to the conclusions, with an aim of achieving a more inclusive, adequate and effective labour protection for all workers.

Just transition (general discussion)
Climate and environmental change have been quickly becoming the largest threat to poverty reduction, decent work, sustainable development and social justice. In viewing of this, the Conference undertook a general discussion on a just transition in this session, including consideration of industrial policies and technology, towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all, and subsequently adopted several conclusions involving four areas: (1) the imperatives of a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all; (2) guiding principles for a just transition for all; (3) the roles of governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations; (4) the role of the International Labour Organization. In addition, the Conference also requested the Director-General to develop a strategy and action plan on just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all to give effect to these conclusions.

In addition, the delegation of China delivered speeches in the Conference. On 9th June, Ms. Wang Xiaoping, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security did not only agree on the ILO Director-General’s initiative to establish a Global Coalition for Social Justice during her speech, but also made three proposals: (1) to adhere to the people-centred development to increase employment opportunities and improve employment quality and income levels; (2) to adhere to ensuring and improving people’s well-being in pursuing development, with constantly promoting balanced, coordinated and inclusive development; (3) to adhere to inclusiveness and cooperation, to uphold the vision of global governance featuring shared growth through discussion and collaboration, to support tripartite constituents of member states to explore labour governance models that are in line with their national contexts and to bring new impetus into promoting modernization with diversified characteristics.

The above is a summary of the 111^th Session of the International Labour Conference.

Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs