The 114th International Labour Conference commenced on Sunday (1) in Geneva, Switzerland, with a Sri Lankan delegation joining the proceedings, NewsFirst reported.
Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe is leading the Sri Lankan delegation. The event is the highest international forum for discussing and making decisions on global labour policies, bringing together governments, employers and workers’ representatives from the 187 member states of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Known as the “World Parliament of Labour,” the conference will focus on a range of key issues including the promotion of sustainable employment, gender equality in the workplace, strengthening social dialogue and enhancing tripartite cooperation among governments, employers and workers.
Participation in the conference will provide Sri Lanka with an opportunity to exchange experiences on international labour standards and practices, while also contributing to global discussions on emerging trends and challenges in the labour sector, the broadcaster reported. The conference will also allow Sri Lanka to showcase its efforts to promote fair working conditions, social protection and sustainable economic development to the international community.
The Geneva engagement extends a busy multilateral month for Colombo, which in May was re-elected by acclamation to chair the UN Committee on Migrant Workers and earlier attended the 79th World Health Assembly under Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. On the labour-policy track itself, Sri Lanka has already ratified ILO Convention No. 190 on workplace violence and harassment and is running an ILO-supported South4Care programme on unpaid care work.
