Estimate delegates, dear colleagues,

This year marks my 25^th presence at the international labour conference. Needless to say, I value this institution very much. It has a special place in my heart. 10 conferences ago, my speech in this plenary was about crossroads. Crossroads for humanity and for the ILO with challenging structural, methodological and policy reform processes. I insisted on the need to break down silos, come in line with reality, the need for FULL tripartite support of all THREE constituents and the need to make robust evidence-based analysis the starting point, not aspirations, and the need to deliver on the outcomes.

A Belgian Nobel prize winner once said: “at every crossroads on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past.” My assessment today, and that really hurts me, is that the ILO seems to have missed the right turn at the crossroads.

A unique tripartite institution and conference unable to find a common position on gender related issues in the world of work is a failure. The fact that this issue threatens the budget is an even bigger failure. And let me be honest, the employers’ group is also divided on that topic.

No or little tangible results in transitioning from informal work to formality might be the biggest failure. In this year’s discussion it seemed we had forgotten everything we learned from the 2015 discussion that led to recommendation 204. It leaves me dazed and confused. As ILO we managed to get a seat at the table with the other UN institutions. Great, but that seat is not forever, unless we deliver. And they are expecting the ILO to produce significant progress in transitioning informal economies! That is ILO core business and results are expected!

In the Committee on the application of standards, I observe a tendency of countries using a no-show policy, thus depriving our labour tribunal from exerting moral pressure. It is also mind-blowing to learn that countries ratify conventions and recommendations without adapting one single word in their regulatory framework or policies, let alone achieving any improvement in practice. On top of that, the international Court of Justice ruling on the right to strike is luring in front of us. All are elements that can bring the ILO one step closer to the edge…

The Committee on biological hazards found consensus and landed a convention and a recommendation. Applause. But wait… is the result really that great? Will these instruments significantly improve the situation of workers exposed to biological hazards throughout the world? The concern for occupational safety and health of workers is deeply enshrined in my professional activities. From my assessment, it seems that both instruments are full of hurdles and barriers for the willing. And full of good excuses and arguments for those member-states that do not want to adhere to ILO conventions. A thousand reasons for not ratifying…

Last year, I said incoherence, inconsistency, and overload are the notes of the symphony of destruction. This year proves I am clairvoyant. The text is infected by parts that do not belong in a biological hazard discussion. I believe we could have added cherry picking to be part of the list of occupations at high risk! When delegations engage in discussions with zero international perspective, they become the hazard themselves.

For a long time, ILO standards on OSH were THE reference in the world of work. OSH is now part of the fundamental principles and rights at work framework. We should safeguard that acquis, protect the basic principles at the core of it. But we don’t seem to be capable or willing to do so. And so, step by step the International Standards Organization is taking over.

In the platform work discussion, there seems to be not match between the demand and supply of idea’s in and between the different groups in this house. The credibility of the ILO is at stake here. Knowledge of the topic seems insufficient. I know maturity is a high price to pay for growing up. But this topic is not mature and potentially disruptive for the ILO.

In general, standards, instruments should not a goal by themselves. They are just the start to change the world of work for the better. ILO leadership in the world of work is not about position, number of standards, ratification rates. Leadership is about action, results in the real world. We need more action, action, not words. We need hands-on, meaningful, efficient, and effective policies, tools and guidance that have an impact in the real world out there.

Sustainable enterprises, productivity, private employment agencies, supply chains, platforms, science, evidence… they are not the enemy. A new, straightforward wind of change must land on Geneva shores to blow us out of the parallel universe we’re too often talking and working in.

Sorry, I can’t contain myself. If only there were more like-minded minds and actual cooperation, we could really start to weigh in on the future to create a better world of work.

I love you to death!

References:
Biohazard – State of The World Address (https://youtu.be/eRG_VrwH_EQ?si=P5jK0TI9Im6len7F)
Led Zeppelin – Dazed and Confused (https://youtu.be/CytJvXbFlKU?si=5X0T7CTZzPmRz-oX)
Linkin Park – One Step Closer (https://youtu.be/4qlCC1GOwFw?si=zwssbAGNnzgh67s_)
Megadeth – Symphony of Destruction (https://youtu.be/h2LG7JXK5mQ?si=qMyp5rokoAUnGWJX)
Iron Maiden – The Clairvoyant (https://youtu.be/obfwt9j-UHo?si=N2dZdPXnorrvg_rq)
Def Leppard – Action! Not Words (https://youtu.be/Boc_5y0BSa8?si=In9PrCF34qSHtUxc)
Paradise Lost – The Enemy (https://youtu.be/O_HwMrrJ4M4?si=o0740H1Ya-RHqOVb)
Scorpions – Wind of Change (https://youtu.be/n4RjJKxsamQ?si=2N74fG1USQqX1Qjv)
Anthrax – Only (https://youtu.be/ZWSPItDCOkI?si=AZRPeQsASlLV-s7K)
Type O Negative – I love you to Death (https://youtu.be/xD5No_JRrZw?si=sHsomBAt06hjGDzl)