Governance Challenges and Opportunities for the International Labour Organization in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The International Labour Organization has confronted several governance challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article looks at the impact of the pandemic on both the internal operations of this unique tripartite UN Specialized Agency and on the ILO’s substantive work on labour market and social protection governance. It explores how international labour standards and their monitoring offer human rights pointers for addressing the crisis. The article highlights interaction (not always coherent) between the ILO and other organizations in connection with COVID-19 and economic recovery. It foreshadows initiatives on how to ‘build back better,’ with the ILO again seeking a strengthened multilateral role in support of its social justice mandate, as informed by resolutions adopted by the International Labour Conference. The article also touches on the pandemic’s impact on the functioning of the ILO Administrative Tribunal, which adjudicates employment disputes for many international organizations.

Promoting international labour standards: The ILO and national labour regulations

How and when do intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) promote incorporation of international norms in domestic politics? In this article, I assess the impact of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on national labour regulations. I advance a new argument regarding how and when labour regulations are shaped by the ILO. More specifically, I argue that the ILO can shape labour regulations during the preparatory process of international labour standards. I theorize that the preparatory period of international labour conventions constitutes a propitious condition for mechanisms of elite socialisation, learning and domestic mobilisation. To test our argument, we focus on national dismissal regulations covering the period 1970-2013. The findings provide evidence in line with my argument that states improve their regulations during the adoption process. However, I find no evidence that states improve their regulations after formal adoption. The results have substantive implications for our understanding of IGOs and labor standards in particular.

The “S” in ESG and international labour standards

The paper examines the importance of international labour standards for ESG reporting.

Abolition Of Forced Labour: Case Of Uzbekistan

The article analyzes the legal problems in the implementation of international labour standards on the abolition of forced labour in the national legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Fundamental documents of the International Labour Organization on the abolition of forced labour – the legal nature of the Forced Labour Convention No.29, 1930 and the the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention No.105, 1957, the content of national legislation on this issue. The practice of assimilation of the provisions of international agreements on labor issues, which are legally binding for Uzbekistan, into national legislation, the compliance of some issues regulated by the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan on labor relations with the norms of international documents has been studied. As a result of the study, conclusions were made on improving the legislation on labor, criminal and administrative liability, as well as amendments to Article 7 of the Labor Code, Article 1482 of the Criminal Code and Article 51 of the Code of Administrative Liability, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Employment" and were some suggestions on the appropriateness of making additions. Recommendations were made to amend the national legislation to abolition of forced and compulsory labour in order to bring it in line with international standards. The formation of institutional mechanisms for countering forced labour in Uzbekistan was studied in three periods, the specifics of each period, the functions of the established mechanisms, and the effectiveness of their activities were analyzed. In particular, the tasks of the National Commission for combating human trafficking and forced labour, created by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PD-5775 dated July 30, 2019, and the Institute of the National Rapporteur are set out.

The World of Work in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis, Assessments and ILO Recommendations

The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented in scale, speed, and depth, has imbalanced and destabilized national labour markets. This article highlights the work of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which since the start of the pandemic has made a signifiant contribution to analysing the situation in the crisis and developing practical recommendations for the restoration of labour markets. The author of the article examines the key challenges facing national governments in this challenging and responsible period, including those identifid by ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the consequences of introducing strict restrictive measures, primarily the closure of jobs. Data on lost working time in various regions and subregions of the world are provided. Based on international labour standards, ILO experts have formulated the main directions for combating the crisis caused by COVID-19, the implementation of which will contribute to faster recovery and stabilisation in national labour markets.

THE EVOLUTION OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The article reveals the evolution of human resource management concept. It consists of 5 stages: prehistory of human resource management in ancient times (before 1800); the formation of class structure of industrial society (1800-1920); establishment of the International Labour Organization and adoption of international labour standards (1920-1980); theoretical evidence and further development of the human resources management concept (1980-2000); Intellectual capital and strategic human resource management (since 2000). The article discloses the main factors that had influenced the emergence and expansion of the human resource management concept.

ABOLITION OF FORCED LABOUR: CASE OF UZBEKISTAN

The article analyzes the legal problems in the implementation of international labour standards on the abolition of forced labour in the national legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Fundamental documents of the International Labour Organization on the abolition of forced labour – the legal nature of the Forced Labour Convention No.29, 1930 and the the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention No.105, 1957, the content of national legislation on this issue. The practice of assimilation of the provisions of international agreements on labor issues, which are legally binding for Uzbekistan, into national legislation, the compliance of some issues regulated by the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan on labor relations with the norms of international documents has been studied. As a result of the study, conclusions were made on improving the legislation on labor, criminal and administrative liability, as well as amendments to Article 7 of the Labor Code, Article 1482 of the Criminal Code and Article 51 of the Code of Administrative Liability, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Employment" and were some suggestions on the appropriateness of making additions. Recommendations were made to amend the national legislation to abolition of forced and compulsory labour in order to bring it in line with international standards. The formation of institutional mechanisms for countering forced labour in Uzbekistan was studied in three periods, the specifics of each period, the functions of the established mechanisms, and the effectiveness of their activities were analyzed. In particular, the tasks of the National Commission for combating human trafficking and forced labour, created by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PD-5775 dated July 30, 2019, and the Institute of the National Rapporteur are set out.