The International Labour Conference (ILC) adopted an international standard on workers in the informal economy, which aims to help them transition to the formal economy.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the standard is the first in ILO's history to address workers in the informal economy, and is significant to those looking forward to a strong focus on decent work in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.
13 June 2015: The International Labour Conference (ILC) adopted an international standard on workers in the informal economy, which aims to help them transition to the formal economy. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the standard is the first in ILO’s history to address workers in the informal economy, and is significant to those looking forward to a strong focus on decent work in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.
Governments voted to adopt the standard in the form of a Recommendation containing 12 guiding principles for facilitating the transition while respecting workers’ rights, promoting the creation of decent jobs in the formal economy, and preventing the “informalization” of formal economy jobs.
Virgil Seafield, Chair of the Committee on the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy (South Africa), said the new standard will bring the so-called gray economy “out of the shadows.” ILO figures indicate that 45-90% of workers are in the informal economy, and as many as 90% of workers at small and medium enterprises (SME) are informal.
Around 4,500 delegates attended the ILC, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1-13 June 2015. The Conference convenes annually as a “parliament of labor” where member States are represented on a tripartite basis, with each national delegation comprising government, employer and worker representatives.
During the two weeks of discussions, delegates also adopted a work programme and budget for the next biennium, and welcomed Cook Islands as the newest member State of the ILO. They also appointed a high-level commission on ‘The Future of Work’ to prepare a report for the ILO’s centenary conference in 2019. Delegates also reaffirmed their commitment to: ensuring freedom of association for all workers and employers in the rural economy; promoting SMEs and entrepreneurship development; and advancing labor protection.
‘The Future of Work’ initiative is one of seven ‘Centenary Initiatives’ that are underway in preparation for 2019. Other initiatives address women at work, green jobs, standards, enterprises and ending poverty. [UN Press Release] [ILO Press Release] [ILO Director-General’s Closing Statement] [Conference Website]