CITI and ILO Launch Initiative to Enhance Labor Standards in Textile Industry

Context:

The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has launched a new initiative, the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW). This project aims to foster awareness and disseminate technical know-how on maintaining the highest labor standards in the textile sector. By equipping stakeholders with essential knowledge and practices, the initiative seeks to improve working conditions and ensure that fundamental labor rights are upheld within the industry.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW)
2. Importance of FPRW for India
3. International Labor Organization (ILO)

ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW)

The ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) encompasses a commitment from governments, employers, and workers’ organizations worldwide to uphold essential human values critical to societal and economic prosperity. Here are the core aspects and categories of the FPRW project:

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

• Purpose: Ensures the right of workers and employers to form organizations without interference.
• Key Conventions:
  • Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (No. 87, 1948)
  • Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No. 98, 1949)

Elimination of Forced or Compulsory Labour

• Principle: Workers should be free to join or leave employment at will, with reasonable notice.
• Key Conventions:
  • Forced Labour Convention (No. 29, 1930)
  • Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105, 1957)

Effective Abolition of Child Labour

• Goal: Sets minimum age limits for employment to ensure children are not employed too young.
• Key Conventions:
  • Minimum Age Convention (No. 138, 1973)
  • Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182, 1999)

Elimination of Discrimination in Employment and Occupation

• Objective: Ensures no discrimination in employment based on race, sex, religion, and other categories.
• Key Conventions:
  • Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100, 1951)
  • Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. 111, 1958)

Safe and Healthy Working Environment

• Aim: To prevent workplace accidents and promote a culture of safety and health.
• Key Conventions:
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155, 1981)
  • Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 187, 2006)

The ILO’s declaration, first introduced in 1998 and amended in 2022, reflects evolving global standards and the added emphasis on occupational safety and health, demonstrating the ILO’s adaptive approach to global workforce challenges.

Importance of FPRW for India

• Trade and Compliance: India’s inclusion in the US Labor Department’s list of goods produced by child labor highlights the necessity for initiatives like the FPRW to remove trade barriers associated with labor violations.
• Universal Application: As a part of the ILO, India is obligated to adhere to the FPRW principles, regardless of the ratification status, to ensure compliance and uphold labor standards.
• Community Impact: Implementing FPRW can transform cotton-growing regions by promoting fairness, sustainability, and prosperity, benefiting workers and their communities extensively.
• Knowledge Empowerment: Farmers will gain insights into government schemes and initiatives crucial for their socioeconomic advancement.
• Development Goals: Aligning with FPRW will aid India in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

International Labor Organization (ILO):

Nature and Structure:

• The only tripartite United Nations (UN) agency.
• Brings together governments, employers, and workers from 187 member States, including India.
• Aims to set labor standards, develop policies, and create programs promoting decent work for all.

Recognition and Awards:

• Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969 for its efforts in promoting social justice and labor rights.

Establishment and Affiliation:

• Established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles.
• Initially affiliated with the League of Nations.
• Became the first affiliated specialized agency of the UN in 1946.

Headquarters:

• Geneva, Switzerland.

-Source: The Hindu