Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 5

Written Answers. - Labour Standards.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

93 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the Government's attitude to compliance with the core labour standards of the International Labour Organisation adopted in 1988; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17641/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

I assume the Deputy is referring to the ILO declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work and its follow-up, which was adopted at the June 1998 International Labour Conference.

This declaration emphasises that all members of the ILO, even if they have not ratified the conventions in question, have an obligation, arising from the very fact of membership in the organisation, to respect, to promote and to realise, in good faith and in accordance with the Constitution, the principles concerning the fundamental rights which are the subject of those conventions, namely, freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour; the effective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Ireland has ratified all seven of the core conventions designated by the ILO as follows: Convention 29, Forced Labour Convention, 1930, ratification registered by Ireland on 2 March 1931; Convention 87, Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948, ratification registered by Ireland on 4 June 1955; Convention 98, Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949, ratification registered by Ireland on 4 June 1955; Convention 100, Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951, ratification registered by Ireland on 18 December 1974; Convention 105, Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957, ratification registered by Ireland on 11 June 1958;

Convention 111, Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958, ratification registered by Ireland on 22 April 1999; and Convention 138, Minimum Age Convention, 1973, ratification registered by Ireland on 22 June 1978.

In June 1999, the International Labour Conference adopted convention No. 182 concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of child labour. Ireland ratified that convention on 20 December 1999 and was the first EU member state to do so.

The Government supports compliance with the above instruments as affirming its commitment to ensuring that our labour standards reflect best international practice.