International Labour Organisation
(ILO)
ILO Library, International Labour Office
CH 1211, Geneva 22, Switzerland
Fax: +4122/799-6516
Office in South Africa
Pretoria : Tel: (012) 341-2170
HISTORY
World War I transformed the world's social and
economic map. The ILO emerged together with the
League of Nations from the Treaty of Versailles
in 1919. It gave expression to the concern for social
reform that grew with the industrial revolution,
and the conviction that realistic reform had to
be conducted on an international level.
Twenty-five years on, the ILO entered the reconstruction
period following World War II with the Declaration
of Philadelphia, a dynamic restatement and enlargement
of its basic goals and principles.
The Declaration anticipated the postwar growth
in national independence and heralded the birth
of large-scale technical cooperation with the developing
world, side by side with the standard-setting function
which began in 1919.
In 1946 the ILO became the first specialized agency
associated with the United Nations. On its 50th
anniversary in 1969 it was awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize.
The ILO Head Office is in Geneva, under the Director-General
appointed by the Governing Body. In March 1999,
Mr Juan Somavia of Chile was elected to lead the
ILO.
More information, including ILO Conventions, which
have been ratified by South Africa, can be found
on the ILO web site.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND COOPERATING ORGANISATIONS
Department of Labour - International Affairs
Business South Africa
Workers Group
SOUTH AFRICA'S INVOLVEMENT
1. Current status (Membership)
South Africa was re-admitted as a member of the
ILO on 26 May 1994. This followed a period of 30
years of isolation from international labour forums
after the country withdrew from the ILO in 1964
as a result of political pressure.
South Africa's re-admittance coincided with various
celebrations of the 81st Session of the ILO, i.e.
the ILO celebration of its 75th anniversary, and
it was 50 years since the adoption of the Declaration
of Philadelphia (new era after World War II).
The most important decisions taken by the Conference
include: the dissolution of the Committee on Action
against Apartheid and the recision of the Declaration
of the same title, as well as the adoption of a
resolution providing for technical assistance to
SA in a number of areas (it approved a special allocation
of US$1 000 000 for technical cooperation assistance
to South Africa); the adoption of a Convention and
Recommendation on Part-Time Work; and the adoption
of two resolutions, one on the 75th anniversary
of the ILO and its future orientation and another
concerning the World Summit for Social Development.
An agreement between the South African Government
and the ILO was signed in Geneva on 5 June 1995
and it was ratified by Parliament on 11 October
1995. The Agreement enables the ILO to establish
an area office in South Africa which covers Southern
Africa member states.
The Director of the ILO office in Pretoria is Mr
Ken Andoh (tel: 012-3412170). He works closely with
the Department of Labour and the social partners
in technical cooperation and financing of projects,
development of national capacity and the supply
of experts. He also liaises closely with the multi-disciplinary
groups of the ILO based in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
South Africa is a member of the Governing Body
and also chairs the Africa Regional Committee of
the Africa Group (ARLAC). SA also participates in
ILO Sub-committees.
South Africa as a young democracy is committed
to socioeconomic issues and reconstruction from
its past and as member of the global village is
to uphold international labour standards and regional
leadership in that regard. South Africa's involvement
includes Government, Labour and Business (ILO recommendations).
A document entitled Symposia, Seminars and Similar
Meetings as approved by the Office of the Governing
Body is obtainable on the website.
