11/06/2008

Speaking in Geneva before the plenary of the 97th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) - see text attached - John Evans, General Secretary of the TUAC, stressed the need for renewed cooperation between the ILO and the OECD: "It is now time to move forward with a new and updated cooperation agreement between the ILO and the OECD".

The current Memorandum of Understanding between the OECD and the ILO dates from 1961 and needs to be considerably enhanced to cover among others:

• the progression of decent work through the OECD Development Assistance Committee’s recommendations on aid
• respect of workers' rights to organise in existing OECD countries as well as new members who are now in accession negotiations with the OECD.
• more effective application of instruments such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. 

The high level round table between the OECD and the ILO on 23-24 June 2008  in Paris will be a major opportunity to move cooperation forward.

ILO weblinks: 

• ILO's authoritative Declaration on “Social Justice for a Fair Globalisation” adopted at the International Labour Conference on 10 June 2008
• Homepage of the 97th Session of the International Labour Conference, 28 May - 13 June 2008

OECD & TUAC weblinks:

• OECD-ILO Conference on Employment and Industrial Relations: Promoting Responsible Business Conduct in a Globalising Economy, 23-24 June 2008, OECD Conference Centre, Paris
• 20/05/2008| Trade Union Statement to the OECD Ministerial Council "Outreach, Reform and the Economics of climate Change" - 4-5 June 2008