What Happened to International Labour Standards and Human Rights at Work?

The social rules of a universal market economy, created by globalization, are based on the standards adopted by the ILO since 1919. Among them a special role belongs to fundamental principles and rights at work, comprised in an ILO Declaration in 1998. They provide for freedom of association, collective bargaining and the elimination of child and forced labour and discrimination. There is a growing debate on how other standards should be linked to fundamental rights and not seen as less important instruments. Technical cooperation has demonstrated that, in any case, implementing fundamental rights leads to strengthening of law and practice on wages, social security and occupational safety and health. All international labour standards (Conventions, Recommendations and Protocols) are derived from the labour principles of the ILO Constitution, and they are closely connected with one another. While the role of the state remains crucial—especially in times of crisis—much of the implementation of labour standards should be achieved through collective bargaining and other negotiations, while voluntary agreements between the social partners are generally legally binding.