A strong delegation of MFA members is gathering in Geneva for the 100th Session of the International Labour Conference on the theme, Building a Future with Decent Work.

The International Labour Conference is organized with a tripartite structure, involving the participation of employers groups, governments, and workers groups.  The Conference is divided into 4 committees, within which the tripartite members participate.  The committees are as follows: the Committee on the Application of Standards, the Committee on Domestic Work, the Drafting Committee, and the Committee for the Recurrent Discussion on Social Protection. On each day of the conference, each of the committees meets.  The Committee on Domestic Work is currently involved in the drafting of the Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers.

On each morning of the deliberations on the Convention, separate meetings will be held of each of the tripartite groups to allow them to solidify their positions, draft amendments, and discuss the merits of the proposed provisions vis-à-vis their particular interests.  While not formally a part of the workers’ delegation, MFA members are permitted to sit in on the workers’ meeting, to provide inputs to the workers where necessary in order to assist in the strengthening of their positions.

After the private meetings of each group, the delegates will come together for a tripartite debate on the articles of the Convention.  The deliberations are facilitated by the session Chair, Hans Cacdac of the Philippines, and proposed amendments to the draft articles are considered in turn, with each of the tripartite members given the opportunity to express their support, opposition, or to suggest sub-amendments until a majority consensus is reached.

The next two weeks will be extremely busy for the MFA delegation.  They will be meeting daily to review the proposed articles, strategize and consolidate their positions and lobby activities, and strengthen their networks with other civil society participants.  All are committed to supporting the drafting of a strong Convention based on the principles of Decent Work for Domestic Workers.