INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION
301st Session of the Governing Body
Geneva, 6 – 20 March 2008
Working Party on the Social Dimension of Globalization
REPORT OF THE ILO FORUM ON DECENT WORK FOR A FAIR
GLOBALIZATION
Statement by
the Representative
of the Republic of Slovenia
on behalf of the European Union
Geneva, 17 March 2008
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
The Slovenian Presidency of the European Union, Geneva, 17 March 2008
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION
301st Session of the Governing Body
6 – 20 March 2008
REPORT OF THE ILO FORUM ON DECENT WORK FOR A FAIR
GLOBALIZATION
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries
Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*1, the Countries of the
Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members
of the European Economic Area, and Switzerland, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of
Moldova, Armenia, Georgia align themselves with this declaration.
1.
The European Union would like to express its appreciation for the interesting
agenda and for the good organization of the Forum.
2.
The EU highlighted in March 2007 that the Forum should be seen as part of a
continuous dialogue, it should promote a coherent approach to the social dimension
of globalisation and decent work and result in practical suggestions for actions.
3.
The 2007 ILO Forum coincided with EU discussions on shaping globalisation as it
was on the agenda of both the European informal Summit of October 2007 and the
European Council of December 2007. The European Council of 14 December 2007
adopted a Declaration on Globalisation. This declaration refers to the need to
strengthen the social and environmental dimension, to the promotion of decent
work as a crucial issue for development and to the engagement in cooperation with
international partners. The EU also highlighted the need to work together within
stronger multilateral organisations. These elements are relevant for our discussion
of today.
4.
The Lisbon Forum served as a useful opportunity for sharing and discussing
approaches and experiences in promoting decent work for a fair globalization with a
broad range of stakeholders outside the ILO. Nevertheless, if we want to engage in
a meaningful ongoing process, such as similar Forum at some point in the future,
we need to strive for improvements. If the ILO is to hold similar events, the EU
believes that it should further improve on attracting representatives from the
multilateral system, concentrate on fewer items and mainly focus on policy
coherence and effectiveness in the implementation of decent work policies at
national, regional and global levels.
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* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the
Stabilisation and Association Process.
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5.
The EU welcomes the diverse perspectives offered by the range of participants at
the Forum and considers it useful for the ILO to bear in mind the various opinions
expressed during the six thematic panel debates when implementing the 2008-09
Programme and Budget.
6.
The EU would welcome a coherent approach to ILO outreach work which should be
focused on outcomes, with clear plans for, and implementation of, follow-up
activities. Information and expertise on outreach work should be shared within the
Office to prevent duplication of efforts.
7.
Policy coherence with other international actors is essential and it can be promoted
through the Policy Coherence Initiative. The Working Party should regularly receive
a report from the Office on the developments in this regards, including a follow-up
on the World Commission Report.
Mr. Chairman,
8.
The EU welcomes the Lisbon Forum’s strong consensus in favour of decent work for
a fair globalization and on the importance of policy coherence.
9.
The EU will continue to participate actively in shaping globalization so that more
people will benefit from the opportunities it presents. This is in line with internal
and external policies of the EU such as enshrined in the internal and external
dimension of the Lisbon strategy, the EU Declaration on Globalization and the
December 2007 European Council Conclusion.
Thank you for your attention.
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