Canada ratifies international convention, meets with EU partners
GATINEAU, QC, June 16, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, wrapped up her visit to Berlin and Geneva, where she has been on a mission abroad to strengthen bilateral relationships with our international partners, and further Canada's continued efforts in the promotion of workers' rights worldwide.
Minister Hajdu was in Berlin on June 12 for a series of meetings with German officials and private-sector stakeholders to discuss labour, apprenticeship, training issues, women's entrepreneurship and refugee resettlement issues, as well as a roundtable on the future of work. She toured the Siemens Training Centre, where the company has been successfully using work-integrated learning to equip students with job-ready skills. The Government of Canada will be launching an investment in Work-Integrated Learning this year. Minister Hajdu also met with representatives of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and SINGA Deutschland, which help over 1,000 participating German employers integrate refugees into their workforces through skills training.
On June 13, at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) High Level Policy Forum, Minister Hajdu presented Canada's vision of the important role government can play in helping workers get the skills they need to find and keep good jobs in a rapidly changing job market.
On June 14 and 15, the Minister represented Canada at the annual Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN agency that sets labour standards and promotes decent work. While there, Canada officially ratified the International Labour Organization's Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining. Canada has now fully ratified all eight of the ILO's core conventions considered fundamental to ensuring basic human rights in the workplace.
Minister Hajdu also addressed the ILO plenary, and delivered remarks accompanying a video message from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on a better future for women at work. The Minister attended a G20 Ministers' working dinner, and also led a panel hosted by the UN Human Rights Council addressing the goal of engaging men and boys in combatting violence against women and girls.
Quote
"I'm pleased that this mission abroad has been such a success. Multilateralism and collaboration are key to meeting the challenges and opportunities that our people face, at home and abroad. Canada's support of the middle class, and those working hard to join it, is defining an approach that can be a model, and I am pleased to have been able to share our goals and vision with our international partners."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
Quick Facts
• The Government of Canada is investing $73 million over for years, to support partnerships between industry and post-secondary educational institutions and create more quality work integrated learning opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and business.
• First launched in 1994, the OECD Jobs Strategy includes a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to promote more and better jobs. The new OECD Jobs Strategy is expected to be presented for adoption at the Ministerial Council Meeting of the OECD in May 2018.
• The International Labour Organization's (ILO) Governing Body has identified eight conventions as "fundamental", which cover subjects that are considered as fundamental principles and rights at work. Once ratified, the conventions become legally binding international treaties. Canada has now ratified all eight.
• Convention 98 is one of eight International Labour Organization conventions that are considered fundamental to promoting decent work. It aims to protect workers against anti-union discrimination by employers; protect workers' and employers' organizations against interference by the other; and promote the right to collective bargaining.
Associated Links
Canada ratifies international convention, supports workers' rights to organize and collective bargaining
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)
106th Session of the International Labour Conference
Labour Program
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Matt Pascuzzo 6/16/2017 |
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