Promoting the creation of decent jobs and sustainable growth together with the International Labour Organization (ILO)

The European Commission welcomes the outcomes of the 104th International Labour Conference in Geneva during the first two weeks of June.

This supreme body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted a Recommendation on transition from the informal to the formal economy. It is the first international framework to address this issue and it is expected to help hundreds of millions of workers move out of informality towards official, sustainable enterprises and decent work with respect for fundamental rights, income security and social protection.

The Conference also adopted conclusions on inclusive and effective labour protection in matters such as health and safety at work, working time, wages and maternity protection  – and on how to create productive employment and decent work in SMEs. The application of international labour standards in the rural sector and in specific countries was also reviewed.

During her intervention at the Conference, Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, stressed the importance of jobs, fairness and social dialogue. She confirmed the EU's engagement to foster a fairer international world of work, for instance through the post-2015 development agenda.

The Commissioner highlighted the value of decent working conditions and of international labour standards and backed the launch of the campaign for the ratification of the ILO Protocol against forced labour.

The ILC outcomes, to which the EU and its Member States actively contributed, are useful working tools for the European Commission to develop its policy and design adequate programmes.