Overview/Mandate
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a UN specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. It is devoted to promote opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.
The ILO activities in Armenia are coordinated by the ILO Subregional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia in Moscow and are supported by the ILO National Correspondent in Yerevan. Besides Armenia, the Office covers nine other countries of the region – Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Current Activities
Since mid 1950s ILO has been providing technical cooperation to countries on all continents and all stages of economic development by pursuing four principle strategic objectives: 1) promoting and realizing standards and fundamental principles and rights at work, 2) creating greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment, 3) enhancing the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all and 4) strengthening tripartism and social dialogue.
Decent Work Country Programme
Priorities for the cooperation between the ILO and the Republic of Armenia for 2007-2011 were formulated in a Decent Work Country Programme signed in Yerevan in March 2007 by the ILO Subregional Director and the tripartite partners - government, employers’ and workers organizations. An important contribution to international development framework (PRSP, the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), national Millennium Development Goals strategies and other integrated development plans), DWCP for Armenia prioritizes the improvement of employment policies.
Defining strategic planning for the collaboration between the Republic of Armenia and the ILO for 2007-2011, the Programme reflects the priorities of the ILO constituents in the Republic of Armenia- Ministry of Labour and Social Issues of the Republic of Armenia, Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen and Confederation of Trade Unions- and the ILO regional priorities for Europe and Central Asia. The programme outlines policies, strategies and expected results necessary to progress towards decent work and aims to assist the social partners to effectively use labour market analysis in formulating and implementing labour market policies. Technical advice and capacity building are to be provided for the improvement of the law and practice concerning recruitment, oversight and protection of migrant workers.
Social Dialogue and Labour Administration
Another central issue is strengthening of social partnerships. The Programme foresees further development of legal basis for social partnership and social dialogue, including sectoral and enterprise level collective bargaining, promotion of bipartite and tripartite commissions (public authorities, employer’ and workers’ organisations). Collective bargaining will help to address such issues as wage disparity, wage discrimination, low-pay, and others.
Social Protection
The Decent Work Country Programme also aims to improve social protection in Armenia, especially a national occupational safety and health (OSH) system. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Government, the social partners and the ILO, a new labour code and a Law on Labour Inspection were adopted. A significant event was also the creation of a completely new labour inspection system with more than 140 inspectors covering all regions of the country. The Programme will further promote putting the country’s OSH legislation and practices into compliance with the international standards.
Other priorities of the Programme include HIV/AIDS prevention at the workplace and the application of ILO Conventions No. 138 and 182 on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.
Partners
National Counterparts
RA Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Union of Manufacturers and Bussinessmen (Employers), Confederation of Trade Unions
Contact
ILO National Correspondent in Yerevan: Nune Hovhannisyan.
Address: 3 Government Building, Yerevan 375010
Tel: (+374 10) 543 561
Fax: (+374 10) 543 561
E-mail: hovhannisyan@ilo.org
Links
ILO Regional – www.ilo.ru
ILO Global – www.ilo.org
