Author Archives: e.bechis@itcilo.org

Hold a reporting “event” to involve relevant ministries

In Panama, a seminar was held for the purpose of engaging ministries in reporting preparation.

It is reporting that in Panama, the involvement of ministries not directly responsible for ILS reporting can sometimes pose challenges. A seminar on the subject of international labour standard being reported on was recently planned and held with representatives from relevant other ministries in order to get their involvement in the reporting process.

Establish focal points

In Swaziland, ILS-responsible focal points are designated in other ministries.

In Swaziland, it has been reported that “focal persons” have been appointed to deal with ILS matters in the relevant ministries, who come to coordination meetings when invited.

ILS obligations can be expedited when it is possible to call upon a specific person in another ministry or department who has been given responsibility – and hopefully some authority – for dealing with ILS matters.

Arranging meetings with other ministries

Ms. Gloria Beatriz Gaviria Ramos, Chief, Oficina de Cooperación y Relaciones Internacionales, Ministerio del Trabajo, Colombia describes practices of meetings with other ministries.

“Our Ministry holds meetings with other Ministries to discuss the observations (the observations made by the Committee of Experts) and examine ways to overcome them and respond to them in the respective reports.”

A view of consultation from a supporting bureau

Ms. Maria Consuela Baki, Mediator/Arbiter, Bureau of Labor Relations, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippines, describes consultative processes from a perspective outside of that of the bureau directly responsible for preparing reports (December, 2011).

A view of consultations from a collaborating Bureau

“Hi, I am Maria Consula Baki, I am a Mediator/Arbiter of the Bureau of Labor Relations of DOLE. The Bureau of Labor Relations work with ILAB relative to contentions of the International Labour Organization, that’s why we were invited for this session.

We are the tripartite monitoring body of the Department of labor and with that we act as the secretariat for the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council. We calendar consultations with both the employers’ sector and the workers’ sector. We try to meet with the sectors every month or as may be necessary because of circumstances that may arise, so if there is a report that is needed by the ILO, we try to conduct meetings with the sectors as much as necessary. As the secretariat for the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, we provide ILAB with reports that we collect from other government agencies as well. Everything pertaining to international labour affairs or anything pertaining to conventions of the ILO we coordinate with ILAB and then if there is a contention like for the domestic work or the maritime labour convention, the ILAB tries to invite us for possible consultations and then they forward us the convention and then we set that convention for consultation with the labour sector and the workers sector through the TIPC. We have a very close coordination because I think the Department of labor is not only concerned with labour matters locally but also we situate that we take care of the labour factor overseas, so we see the importance of coordinating with ILAB for us to be able to formulate policies that are both applicable both local and overseas, applicable to both local and overseas workers as well. The fact that we have a lot of overseas workers I think it is the general mandate of the department of labor to formulate policies that protect both its local and overseas workers so through coordinating with ILAB, we are able to foresee changes in the working conditions outside of the country and then we can actually address them from here.”

Special thanks to the the Honorable Secretary of Labor and Employment of the Philippines, and the Director and staff of the International Labor Affairs Bureau of the Department of Labor of the Philippines for their generous cooperation in the production of this video.

Timely planning ILS meeting

In Zimbabwe, a simple, timely, planning meeting on ILS issues is held for relevant personnel.

In Zimbabwe, at the beginning of the year the Division of International Relations has meetings to discuss the work plan of the year in ILS issues and other responsibilities.

There are 3 interesting elements of this example:

  1. Who is meeting;
  2. When they are meeting; and
  3. What they are planning.

This simple way of managing work (1) brings together relevant key personnel, does so in a (2) timely manner, and has as its (3) agenda the ILS work plan, such as reporting on ratified Conventions, reporting on submission, and other matters.

Involve very high level officials

In Tajikistan, very high level officials are invited to ILS-related events.

In Tajikistan, key representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President’s Office, Parliament and legislative centres and the President are invited to ILS-related events, whether related to reporting or not. This is done to help assure that they are fully aware about ILS principles and sufficiently knowledgeable to provide support when it is needed. It is also useful to use Minister to Minister contact in  promoting ILS-related matters. This can all be helpful in managing reporting.

Use specialists’ visit

In Tajikistan, the social partners are briefed when the ILS specialist from DWT/CO Office visits.

In Tajikistan, it is reported that when the ILO specialist on ILS visits the country, meetings are arranged for briefing tripartite partners on improving the quality of reports on ILS application.

In addition to briefing government officials, ILS specialists can brief and train the social partners in reporting processes. This may improve their responsiveness as well as the quality of their involvement in ILS reporting.

Have an assistant

In Tajikistan, an assistant supports report preparation.

In Tajikistan, an assistant supports the preparation of reports, in addition to 1 person working full time on ILS matters when reports are due.

Associating an assistant in the preparation of reports may be both a simple and effective method for expediting reporting processes and spreading knowledge of those processes. Although responsibility for the report-making may rest in one official, having another official – perhaps newer to the relevant department or maybe in a clerical position – work in the process strengthens the ability of the overall service to meet reporting obligations even as available human resources may change.

Establish focal points

In Swaziland, ILS-responsible focal points are designated in other ministries.

In Swaziland, it has been reported that “focal persons” have been appointed to deal with ILS matters in the relevant ministries, who come to coordination meetings when invited.

ILS obligations can be expedited when it is possible to call upon a specific person in another ministry or department who has been given responsibility – and hopefully some authority – for dealing with ILS matters.