Azerbaijani delegation attends 100th anniversary events of International Labor Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland
18 Jun 2019
The 108th session of the International Labor Conference (WAC) was held in Geneva (Switzerland) with participation of member government officials and social partners of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
Discussions were conducted in the session around the initiative
of “Future of Labour” regarding 100th anniversary of ILO.
The International Labor Conference's "World Labor
Parliament" has started with the speech of the Director-General of the
ILO, Guy Ryder.
Guy Ryder informed that business world is in the
"deepest transformation" phase of the past hundred years. He urged
the conference delegates to take responsibility for solving the most complex
issues in this regard.
The ILO Director General said that social justice is of
great importance in the uncertainty and instability of our time. The Jubilee
Session of ILO is dedicated to the future of labor. The key issue is to solve
the issues that play an important role in the lives of people.
The future of labor depends on our choices, our choices,
our ability to fulfill that decision, our readiness for joint events. The ILO's
unique longevity is based on three factors: the provision of social justice,
its trilateral structure, and the ability to move away from the problems
associated with changes in the world and its unmatched adaptability.
Dr. R. Bayer stated that 55 percent of the world's
population still does not have social protection.
Secretary-General of the International Trade Union
Confederation, Sharon Barrow, stressed the importance of creating decent jobs
for all workers: "It seems to me that we are on the verge of anger. Anger
occurs from despair, loss of confidence. If there is a breach of public
agreement in the community, our duty is to stop this process, to develop and
update the agreement.
At the
jubilee International Labor Conference, world leaders have confirmed their
adherence to the principles of social justice. The ILO has been formed on these
principles 100 years ago. This 108th conference lasted from June 10 to June 21.
Heads of state and government, as well as, other high-ranking officials from
about 40 countries spoke at the plenary session on the first day of the
conference.
At a
conference attended by about 6,000 delegates representing government, employers
and workers from 187 OSCE member states, ways to address the challenges of
deeper-scale labor exchanges were discussed. During the forum, important
document - a draft of the ILO Declaration of 100th anniversary was also
discussed. Participants also discussed the adoption of a new international
legal act to combat violence and aggression in the sphere of labor.
Our
country was represented in the event by Minister of Labor and Social Protection
of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev, Chairman of Azerbaijan
Trade Union Confederation, Vice-President of the International Trade Union
Confederation (SOCAR), Deputy of National Assembly Sattar Mohbaliyev, President
of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers') Organizations
Mammad Musayev and other officials individuals.
Speaking about the development of social partnership in
Azerbaijan in line with ILO calls, the Minister said that the creation of a innovative economy in the country in the country,
raising labor productivity and improving social wellbeing are the strategic
goals of a successful state policy pursued by the President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev at a high level. Over the past 15 years, in our country GDP growth has increased 3.3
times, industrial production - 2.6 times, average wages - 7 times, minimum
wages - 15 times, unemployment and poverty - 5%. Only this year, realized the
social package has received substantial support for the well-being of 3 million
people as a result of other major measures, such as minimum wage and 40 per
cent of pensions, an average of 100 per cent of social allowances and pensions.
Underlining
the importance of the Country Program for the Decent Work for 2016-2020 executed
jointly with ILO, Babayev said that 4 social projects of Azerbaijan, hosted to
the European Social Security Forum of International Social Security Association
(BSTA) in May this year, were awarded with BSTA's special award as a good
practices example. This, as well as representation of Azerbaijan in the ILO's
Management Board, is a manifestation of a high international appreciation of
our country's successful reforms in the socio-economic sphere.
At the
end of his speech, he stressed that Azerbaijan is ready for broad cooperation,
including the faithfulness of Azerbaijan to ILO principles and commitment arising
out of cooperation with the ILO and exchange of positive experiences.
Within
the framework of the session, Chairman of Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation Sattar
Mohbaliyev held meetings with the heads of trade unions of several countries
and discussed mutual cooperation relations with them.
On June
20, Sattar Mohbaliyev met Mikhail Shmakov, the chairman of the Federation of
Independent Trade Unions of Russia and Maria Helena, Director of the
International Labor Organization's Bureau on Labor Activity, met. On the
occasion of the 100th anniversary of the ILO, M.Helena was submitted the detailed
copy of a collective agreement signed by oil workers and industrialists in 1904
in Azerbaijani, English and Russian languages. Despite the fact that 115 years
have passed since the signing of this ancient document, which has been included
in the history as the "Mazut contract," Chairman of Azerbaijan Trade
Union Confederation said that some of its commitments remain current for many
countries in the world. He also informed about the provisions contained in this
document regarding workers' rights. He said that the "Mazut contract"
is a clear proof that the trade union of Azerbaijan has been fighting for
decent and fair labor since its establishment.
Representatives
of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan also participated in panel meetings and working
groups meetings at the Palace of Nations. Issues such as "future of
labor" and "violence and pressure in the workplace" were the subject
of discussion.
