The annual International Labour Conference (ILC), also called the international labor parliament, has ended its two–week deliberations in Geneva. This year’s agenda included a new international labor standard on biohazards in the working environment, a discussion on decent work in the care economy, and a discussion on fundamental principles and rights at work. USCIB, as the US employer representative to the International Labour Organization (ILO), led the US business community’s participation, with a record large delegation. 

The ILC is the only moment during the year where more than 5000 social partners – workers, employers, and governments – meet at the ILO to negotiate labor standards and discuss international labor policy. In addition, as part of the ILO supervisory mechanism, delegates discuss country cases pertaining to the application of ratified ILO standards. The two policy discussions – on care economy and fundamental principles and rights at work – ended with sets of consensus-based conclusions, despite, at times, challenging negotiations. The negotiation on the new labor standard on biological hazards concluded its first out of two sittings, and the standard is shaping up to be a Convention (binding) and a Recommendation (non-binding). 

USCIB President and CEO, Whitney Baird, participated in the ILC and the IOE General Council, the annual meeting of IOE member federations. Federations discussed the challenges faced globally amidst geopolitical tensions and what is needed to ensure a strong business voice in global policymaking. 

The ILO Governing Body also went through elections, and Tom Mackall, USCIB Senior Counsel, was re-elected as a member of the Governing Body. 

As part of the ILC, the ILO inaugurated its Global Coalition for Social Justice, the Director-General’s flagship initiative, with participants from around the world, including President Lula of Brazil. The US is one of the few countries that has tripartite representation in the Global Coalition.  

The ILO also took the opportunity to convene a consultation with the co-facilitators of the forthcoming World Summit for Social Development. The employer community underscored the need for strong involvement of social partners both in the process leading up to the Summit and during the negotiations of the forthcoming Political Declaration.  

“The ILC is a major highlight of the year for us. Thanks to the unique tripartite nature of the ILO, the ILC is the only multilateral negotiation that gives a direct voice and vote to employers. US companies are actively participating, ensuring policy outcomes that consider the realities faced by global businesses,” said Ewa Staworzynska, Head of US Employer Delegation to the ILC.