NITI Aayog::: M LAXMIKANTH

Which of the following International Labour Organization (ILO) convention have NOT been ratified by
India?
1. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957
2. Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951
3. Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948
4. Minimum Age Convention, 1973

Context: The ILO Governing Body has identified eight “fundamental” Conventions, covering
subjects that are considered to be fundamental principles and rights at work: freedom of association
and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of all forms of
forced or compulsory labour; the effective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of
discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. These principles are also covered by the
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998).
The ILO is urging the Union Government to ratify two of its fundamental conventions — Freedom of
Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) and Right to
Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).
Justification: In India, we ratify an ILO Convention only when the national laws are brought fully
into conformity with the provisions of the Convention in question.
The main reason for non-ratification of ILO Conventions is due to certain restrictions imposed
on the Government servants.
As communicated by Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT), the ratification of these
conventions would involve granting of certain rights that are prohibited under the statutory
rules, for the Government employees.
These are: to strike work, to openly criticize Government policies, to freely accept financial
contribution, to freely join foreign organizations etc.
Learning:
India has ratified six out of the eight core ILO Conventions:
--the Forced Labour Convention, 1930
--Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957
--Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951
--Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958
--Minimum Age Convention, 1973
--Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999