Page 31 - DMGT516_LABOUR_LEGISLATIONS

Labour Legislations

Notes Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
Discuss ILO – Aims and Purposes

Explain structure of ILO
State conventions and recommendations
Explain major activities of ILO
Describe influence on Indian labour legislation
Discuss contribution of ILO in promoting welfare and social security in India

State difficulties in adoption of conventions and recommendations
Explain problem of ratification
Discuss International labour standards and India

Introduction

The Peace Conference convened at the end of the World War I led to the creation of the
International Labour Organisation in 1919. As an original signatory of the Treaty of Peace, India
became a member of the organisation in 1919. Today, ILO is one of the specialized agencies of
the United Nations Organisation (UNO). It has passed through critical periods in its long history.
It faced difficulties following the world economic crisis during the period of the Great Depression.
Then, came the crisis of World War II, when its very existence was at stake. In June 1944, the ILO
convened a conference at Philadelphia to consider the programmes and policies to be pursued
after the War. The aims and purposes of the ILO were redefined in the form of a declaration – the
Declaration of Philadelphia.
2.1 ILO (International Labour Organisation) – Aim and Purpose

ILO through its conventions & recommendations has undertaken the task of creating international
minimum standards of labour which constitutes the international labour code. They cover a
wide range of subjects including wages, hours of work, annual holidays with pay, minimum age
of employment, medical examination, maternity protection, industrial health, safety & welfare,
social security, freedom of association, right to organize & bargain collectively, employment of
seamen & employment. The main aims & objectives of the ILO were redefined in the form of
Declaration of Philadelphia.
The Declaration is based on the following fundamental principles:
1. Labour is not a commodity.

2. Freedom of expression and of association is essential for sustained progress.
3. Poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere.
4. The war against want requires to be carried on with unrelenting vigour by each nation,
and by a continued and concerted international effort in which representatives of workers
and employers, enjoying equal status with those of government, join in a free discussion,
and democratic decisions are arrived at with a view to promote the welfare of the common
man.

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