EXAMINATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARDS AND THE ROLE OF SUPERVISORY BODIES

Abstract

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the major international labour agency with the mandate of ensuring that the world of work or employment is humane and decent. In seeking to achieve this herculean task, the ILO has a system of international labour law, better known as International Labour Standards, which comprise of Conventions, Protocols, Recommendations and Declarations, with varying degree of binding effect. Its memberstates are obligated to enforce ratified International Labour Standards. In evaluating and assessing member-states’ compliance, the ILO has two major supervisory bodies saddled with this task: the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) and the Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA). The work found that though the CEACR requires member-states to submit periodic reports on the application of ratified International Labour Standards, there are no sanction regimes for non-compliance. The work also found that though the CFA is specifically charged with evaluating the compliance of member-states with regards to freedom of association, the right to organize and collective bargaining, there is no procedure for sanctioning erring member-states who violate extant International Labour Standards. The work adopted the doctrinal method of legal research by analyzing, examining and evaluating existing literature and statutes; both primary and secondary sources of law. It is recommended that proper sanction and enforceable measures be adopted by the ILO in the event of breach or non-compliance with ratified international labour standards. Also, the current supervisory bodies should be overhauled as they are ineffective in their approach and strategies.