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Forced Labour Convention (1930) of the International Labour Organisation (ILO): matters related to social policy. Authorisation for Member States to ratify the 2014 Protocol

2014/0259(NLE)

PURPOSE: to authorise Member States to ratify the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with regard to matters related to social policy.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2015/2037 authorising Member States to ratify, in the interests of the European Union, the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, of the International Labour Organisation with regard to matters relating to social policy.

CONTENT: by this Council Decision, Member States are authorised to ratify, for the parts falling within the competence conferred upon the Union under Article 153(2) TFEU, the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, of the International Labour Organisation.

Member States should take the necessary steps to deposit their instruments of ratification of the Protocol with the Director-General of the International Labour Office as soon as possible, preferably by 31 December 2016.

To recall, the Union is promoting the ratification of international labour conventions, classified by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as up to date, to contribute to the Union's efforts to promote human rights and decent work for all and to eradicate trafficking in human beings both inside and outside the Union.

The Forced Labour Convention, 1930, of the International Labour Organisation, which the Protocol of 2014 supplements, is a fundamental ILO Convention and has a bearing on rules which make reference to core labour standards.

Some of the rules provided for in the Protocol are already covered by Union acquis in the area of social policy and concern, in particular, matters covered by:

  • Council Directive 91/533/EEC on an employer's obligation to inform employees of the conditions applicable to the contract or employment relationship;
  • Directive 2008/104/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on temporary agency work;
  • Council Directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work;
  • Directive 2003/88/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time;
  • Council Directive 94/33/EC on the protection of young people at work;
  • Council Directive 92/85/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding.