Philippines assumes ILO chairmanship

MANILA, Philippines (Updated July 7, 2021, 7:25 p.m.) — The Philippines now plays a key role in setting global labor standards as it officially assumed the chairmanship of the International Labor Organization (ILO) government group.

“With the chairmanship of the government group, the Philippines will be in a key position in the setting of global labor standards. We will also exercise a pivotal role in helping the ILO achieve full, equal and more democratic participation of its small, non-regular members in setting policies and programs,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said in a statement over the weekend.

Bello will preside over the government body sessions and the International Labor Conference government group meetings.

He added that the Philippines, as head of the body representing governments, would lead the ILO government body, which convenes every March, June and November.

The Philippines made history as the first non-regular member country of the ILO to take the chairmanship role.

Geneva-based labor attaché to Geneva Cheryl Daytec informed Bello that the country officially assumed the post last week after completing its vice chairmanship position.

The POLO in Geneva relentlessly pursued the country’s long quest for the coveted seat.

The government board comprises 56 titular members (28 governments, 14 employers, and 14 workers) and 66 deputy members (28 governments, 19 employers, and 19 workers). It decides on ILO policy, sets the agenda of the International Labor Conference, adopts the draft program and budget of the organization for submission to the conference, and elects the director-general.

The United Nations agency is mandated to advance social and economic justice through setting international labor standards. Founded in October 1919 under the League of Nations, it is the first and oldest specialized agency of the UN.

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Editor's note: An earlier version of this article stated that the Philippines will lead the ILO "governing" instead of "government" body. The government body acts as head of the body representing the governments, while the governing body is the overall executive body of the ILO. This has been corrected.