98th Session of the
International Labour Conference
Geneva, 3–19 June 2009

<www.ilo.org>

International Labour Organization
98th Session of the International Labour Conference
Geneva, 3–19 June 2009
Contents
1.

Agenda of the Conference .......................................................................................
Standing items ............................................................................................................
Items placed on the agenda by the Conference or the Governing Body ....................
2. Rules of procedure of the Conference ....................................................................
3. Conference programme ...........................................................................................
4. Plenary ......................................................................................................................
I(a) Reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and of
the Director-General .......................................................................................
I(b) Global Report under the follow-up to the ILO Declaration on
Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work ...................................................
Registration of speakers ..................................................................................
Time limit for speeches concerning the Reports of the Chairperson of the
Governing Body and of the Director-General .................................................
Principles governing the discussion in plenary ...............................................
5. Committees ...............................................................................................................
II.
Finance Committee of Government Representatives ......................................
III.
Committee on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations..........
IV. Elaboration of an autonomous Recommendation on HIV/AIDS
in the world of work – Standard setting, double discussion ...........................
V.
Employment and social protection in the new demographic
context – General discussion based on an integrated approach.....................
VI. Gender equality at the heart of decent work – General discussion .................
Resolutions ...............................................................................................................
Standing Orders Committee .......................................................................................
Selection Committee ..................................................................................................
Credentials Committee ...............................................................................................
6. Reports ......................................................................................................................
Communication of reports..........................................................................................
Publication of the Provisional Records ......................................................................
7. Interpretation ...........................................................................................................
8. Participation .............................................................................................................
Composition of delegations........................................................................................
Credentials ...............................................................................................................
Representation of non-metropolitan territories ..........................................................
Representation of international non-governmental organizations ..............................
9. Health and safety .....................................................................................................
10. Practical arrangements ...........................................................................................
Delegates with a disability .........................................................................................
Accommodation for delegations in Geneva ...............................................................
Entry visas for Switzerland and France......................................................................
Registration on arrival ................................................................................................
Meeting room reservations.........................................................................................
Visitors to the Conference..........................................................................................
Other matters ..............................................................................................................
Appendices
I. Contact details ...........................................................................................................
II. Representation of non-metropolitan territories ..........................................................
III. Representation of international non-governmental organizations at the
International Labour Conference ...............................................................................

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98th Session (June 2009) of the
International Labour Conference
Dates: Wednesday, 3 June to Friday, 19 June 2009
Please note that important preparatory meetings will take place on
Tuesday, 2 June. These meetings will require the attendance of
the tripartite members of national delegations
Place: Palais des Nations and the headquarters of the
International Labour Office, Geneva
For details concerning registration for the Conference, see sections 8 (Participation) and
10 (Practical arrangements), and the Explanatory note for national delegations on the
submission of credentials (attached).

1.

Agenda of the Conference

Standing items
I. (a)
(b)

Reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and of the Director-General
Global Report under the follow-up to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles
and Rights at Work 1

II. Programme and Budget proposals for 2010–11 and other questions
III. Information and reports on the application of Conventions and Recommendations

Items placed on the agenda by the Conference
or the Governing Body
IV. Elaboration of an autonomous Recommendation on HIV/AIDS in the world of work –
Standard setting, double discussion
V. Employment and social protection in the new demographic context – General discussion
based on an integrated approach
VI. Gender equality at the heart of decent work – General discussion

2.

Rules of procedure of the Conference
The rules of procedure of the Conference are contained in the Constitution of the
International Labour Organization and in the Standing Orders of the International Labour
Conference.

1

This year the Global Report will be on the elimination of forced and compulsory labour.

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1

These texts, as well as a condensed version in a Handbook for delegates entitled “The
Standing Orders at a glance”, may be obtained in Geneva at the Document Distribution Service
and can also be consulted on the ILO web site: www.ilo.org. The Handbook will also be
placed on the ILC web site early in 2009.

3.

Conference programme



Tuesday, 2 June
In order to allow the technical committees to begin their substantive work on the first day of the
Conference, group meetings will be held on the day before the official opening sitting. This
means that on Tuesday, 2 June, in addition to the usual meetings of the Government,
Employers’ and Workers’ groups, where the groups elect their Officers, make proposals
relating to the composition of the different committees and become acquainted with Conference
procedure, provision will also be made for group planning meetings for committees, to be held
as deemed appropriate by each group. The tripartite members of national delegations should
therefore arrive in Geneva in sufficient time to be able to take part in these important
meetings.
The full group meetings will take place in the following rooms:



Government group:

Assembly Hall of the Palais des Nations

Employers’ group:

Governing Body room of the ILO

Workers’ group:

Room XIX of the Palais des Nations

Wednesday, 3 June
10 a.m.: Opening sitting in the Assembly Hall of the Palais des Nations. At the opening
sitting, delegations will be called on to elect the Officers of the Conference, set up the various
committees and take other decisions as needed. The Selection Committee will meet
immediately after the opening sitting of the Conference to take decisions concerning
arrangements for the Conference.
11 a.m.: Committees start their work. Committee sittings continue until adoption of their
reports at the end of the second, or beginning of the third week.



Friday, 12 June
10 a.m. and 3 p.m.: Discussion in plenary of the Global Report under the follow-up to
the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.



Monday, 15 June to Friday, 19 June
Plenary week, encompassing delegates’ statements, high-level panels, special
presentations, adoption of reports and voting on instruments.

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4.

Plenary
The plenary sittings of the Conference are held in the Assembly Hall on the third floor of
the Assembly Building of the Palais des Nations.
After the opening and first sitting on Wednesday, 3 June, it is not foreseen that the
Conference will meet in plenary until the end of the second week of its work. The second
plenary sitting will be held on Friday, 12 June, at 10 a.m. for the discussion of the Global
Report. Plenary sittings for the discussion of the Reports of the Chairperson of the Governing
Body and of the Director-General will be held daily throughout the third week, from Monday,
15 June at 10 a.m., through to Friday, 19 June, as required. Committee reports and draft
instruments will be submitted to plenary for discussion from Tuesday, 16 June. Voting on
draft instruments will take place on Thursday, 18 June, followed by the closing ceremony on
Friday, 19 June. At all events, a plenary sitting of the Conference may be called at any other
time if necessary.

I(a)

Reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body
and of the Director-General
Discussion of these documents will begin in plenary sitting on Monday, 15 June, at 10
a.m. The Chairperson of the Governing Body will submit a report to the Conference on the
work carried out by the Governing Body from June 2008 to June 2009.
The Director-General of the International Labour Office will submit a report to the
Conference which will invite participants to provide guidance to the ILO in shaping its action
to best serve Members’ needs, as the Organization approaches its 90th anniversary. It will
include an annex on the situation of workers in the occupied Arab territories.

I(b)

Global Report under the follow-up
to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental
Principles and Rights at Work
The follow-up to the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, adopted
by the International Labour Conference at its 86th Session (1998), calls on the Director-General
to issue a report each year providing a dynamic global picture relating to one of the four
categories of fundamental principles and rights. This year the Global Report will focus on the
elimination of forced and compulsory labour, both in member States that have, as well as
those that have not yet, ratified the relevant fundamental ILO Conventions, that is, the Forced
Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), and the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No.
105).

Registration of speakers
(i) Reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and of the Director-General.
Persons wishing to speak may register in advance, as from 2 April 2009, by email, facsimile or
telephone (see Appendix I – Contact details). They may also do so during the Conference, as
early as possible, at the office of the Clerk of the Conference. The list of speakers closes on
Thursday, 11 June, at 6 p.m., subject to the decision of the Selection Committee. While an
exact speaking time may not be confirmed due to daily changes in the plenary programme,
speakers will receive an indication of the approximate time of their address on the eve of the
appointed sitting. A message to this effect will be placed in the relevant delegation’s
pigeonhole at the Palais des Nations.

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3

(ii) Global Report under the follow-up to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental
Principles and Rights at Work. Discussion of the Global Report is scheduled to take place in
plenary, in two dedicated sittings, on Friday, 12 June. There will be no list of speakers.

Time limit for speeches concerning the Reports
of the Chairperson of the Governing Body
and of the Director-General
To allow as many speakers as possible to take the floor, the time limit for speeches is set
at a maximum of five minutes (ILC Standing Orders, article 14.6). This time limit will be
strictly applied. For participants’ information, this time allowance corresponds to
approximately three typewritten double-spaced pages (or 1,000 words), read at a speed
commensurate with accurate simultaneous interpretation.
It is therefore strongly recommended that delegates reduce courtesies to a minimum, so as
to enter into the substantive elements of their statements without delay. Visiting ministers,
delegates, observers and representatives of international organizations and international nongovernmental organizations will wish to bear this in mind when preparing their speeches.

Principles governing the discussion in plenary
The following principles, set out in paragraphs 54–58 of the fourth report of the Working
Party of the Governing Body of the International Labour Office on the Programme and
Structure of the ILO (1967), form a useful background to the discussion of the reports in
plenary:
–

Freedom of speech is a pillar of the ILO: neither governments, nor employers or workers
are immune from criticism within its walls.

–

Freedom of speech includes freedom to reply – one point of view may be parried by
another.

–

Social justice contributes to lasting peace; all human beings have the right to pursue their
material well-being and spiritual development in freedom and dignity. The breadth of
these fundamental principles of the ILO makes it impossible to circumscribe debate in the
International Labour Conference, and the ILO must focus on the objectives that derive
from these principles, irrespective of political considerations.

–

Nevertheless, the purpose and scope of debate in the International Labour Conference
must not encroach on discussions proper to the United Nations Security Council and
General Assembly, bodies entrusted by the Charter with responsibility for political
decisions in the United Nations system.

–

To uphold the values of human freedom and dignity enshrined in the ILO Constitution, in
periods of acute political tension the Conference must strive towards the fullest possible
continued cooperation in pursuit of the Organization’s objectives. Every delegate has an
obligation to keep these considerations in mind, and the President of the Conference to
ensure they are preserved.

To maintain the required decorum, participants are kindly requested to restrict their
movements in the plenary hall during the debate.

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5.

Committees
Registration in committees: For Employers’ and Workers’ delegates, this is undertaken at the
group meetings on Tuesday, 2 June, or by obtaining registration forms from the group secretariats;
Government delegates may register during the Government group meeting on Tuesday, 2 June.
Composition: Except when provided otherwise, the initial composition of committees is decided by
the Conference at its opening sitting. Any modifications are carried out, for Employers’ and Workers’
delegates, through their respective groups and must be done before 6 p.m. to be effective the following
day. Government delegates may make such modifications at the Composition of Committees Office.

II.

Finance Committee of Government Representatives
(ILC Standing Orders, article 7bis and
section H, article 55(3))
Under agenda item II, the Conference will be called on to examine and adopt the
programme and budget of the ILO for the 2010–11 biennium and to consider such other
financial and administrative matters as the Governing Body may decide to bring to its
attention.

III.

Committee on the Application of
Conventions and Recommendations
(ILC Standing Orders, article 7 and section H)
This Committee is set up to deal with agenda item III – Information and reports on
the application of Conventions and Recommendations. It will consider information and
reports supplied by governments under articles 19, 22 and 35 of the Constitution on the effect
given to Conventions and Recommendations, together with the Report of the Committee of
Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (Report III (Part IA),
International Labour Conference, 98th Session, 2009), and submit a report on its work to the
Conference.
At the 98th Session, the General Survey of reports submitted under article 19 (Report III
(Part IB)) will deal with the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the
Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 1981 (No. 164), and the Protocol of 2002 to
the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981.
Pursuant to the resolution concerning the measures recommended by the Governing Body
under article 33 of the ILO Constitution on the subject of Myanmar, adopted by the
Conference at its 88th Session (2000), the Committee will also hold a special sitting to discuss
the effect given by the Government of Myanmar to the recommendations of the Commission
of Inquiry set up to examine the observance of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29).

IV.

Elaboration of an autonomous Recommendation
on HIV/AIDS in the world of work –
Standard setting, double discussion
The world of work is a vital front in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS. It experiences
many of the deepest impacts of the epidemic and is also a key factor in the response, especially
at country level. As States and employers’ and workers’ organizations have acquired hard-won
experience, the ILO and its partner organizations have brought a rights-based approach to help
shape responses and contribute to the UN “Delivering as One”. Both the progress achieved and

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5

the limits on that progress, along with changes in the epidemiological situation, require that
responses continue to be refined and strengthened.
At its 298th Session (March 2007), the Governing Body decided to place an item on
HIV/AIDS in the world of work on the agenda of the 98th Session (2009) of the International
Labour Conference, for a double discussion leading to the adoption of an autonomous
Recommendation. It was decided that it was necessary to adopt an international labour
standard on HIV/AIDS in order to increase the attention devoted to the subject at national and
international level, to promote united action among the key actors on HIV/AIDS, and to
increase the impact of the ILO code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work, adopted
in 2001.
The Office has prepared two reports to serve as a basis for the first discussion. The law
and practice report, HIV/AIDS and the world of work, (Report IV(1), International Labour
Conference, 98th Session, 2009) was accompanied by a questionnaire to which governments
were asked to give replies in consultation with the organizations of employers and workers.
Due to the broad scope of the subject, the report called on ministries of labour to consult other
national ministries and institutions dealing with HIV/AIDS, and other relevant organizations,
including organizations of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Summaries of these replies and
draft conclusions are in the second Conference report (Report IV(2), International Labour
Conference, 98th Session, 2009).

V.

Employment and social protection in the new
demographic context – General discussion
based on an integrated approach
Increased life expectancy, resulting from progress in medical science and in access to
health services, is one of the major achievements of the last decades. However, increased life
expectancy combined with declining fertility rates is altering the world’s population structure
profoundly. Population ageing is already advanced in developed countries and progressing
rapidly in developing ones. By 2050 almost 2 billion people will be aged 60 years or over;
80 per cent of them will live in developing countries. The average age of the labour force will
be higher, and the volume of older workers is expected to increase to 268 million men and
193 million women by 2020. Labour force growth will be particularly strong in the less
economically advanced countries. Both labour markets and social policies have to adjust to
this new situation.
In low-income countries the combination of old age, poverty and exclusion is of great
concern. Social security for the elderly only covers a minority in such countries and older
people are thus obliged to continue working, often in the informal economy. In the
industrialized countries, where social security coverage is higher, longer and healthier lives
have not been accompanied by longer working careers owing to many social and economic
factors. While there is much debate about the impact of ageing on social security financing,
this discussion obscures a key issue: many older people cannot find or keep employment,
while on the other hand a large number of younger women and men are unemployed,
underemployed, inactive or work in the informal economy and thus have no chance to
contribute to pension systems. The promotion of productive employment and decent work is
the best way to ensure social protection for all, in both developed and developing countries.
The ILO and its tripartite constituents can play a key role in developing innovative
strategies to meet the abovementioned challenges and to take advantage of the opportunities
provided by an older workforce. The International Labour Conference will hold a general
discussion on “Employment and social protection in the new demographic context” based on
an integrated approach. The Office has prepared a report (Report V, International Labour
Conference, 98th Session, 2009) as a basis for this discussion. The report focuses on progress

6

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and future policy directions related to the employment and social protection issues which are at
the heart of the debate on ageing. It sets the Decent Work Agenda as the general framework
within which a comprehensive strategy to meet the challenge of population ageing can be
developed, to promote productive employment, decent work and social security for all. The
report also seeks to respond to the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly regarding follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing that request the
United Nations system and the specialized agencies to integrate ageing into their work
programmes.

VI.

Gender equality at the heart of decent work –
General discussion
At its 298th Session (March 2007), the Governing Body placed an item on “Gender
equality at the heart of decent work” on the agenda of the 98th Session of the International
Labour Conference (2009) for general discussion. The last time gender equality featured as a
stand-alone item at the Conference was over 20 years ago, in 1985. The follow-up to that
general discussion resulted in many positive developments that advanced equality of
opportunity and treatment for women and men throughout the world of work. Yet numerous
equality issues have not been adequately dealt with over the years, and important gaps
identified by the 1985 discussion persist in the context of globalization. The 2008 Declaration
on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization reiterated the importance of gender equality as a
cross-cutting issue in the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. Indeed, gender mainstreaming is a
process that can bear results in relation to both economic efficiency and social justice.
The conceptual framework chosen for the report, Gender equality at the heart of decent
work (Report VI, International Labour Conference, 98th Session, 2009) aims to provide a userfriendly and logical structure in which readers can recognize their own daily lives and those of
their families, colleagues and societies through access to opportunities for decent work. The
ILO role in supporting constituents’ efforts for the empowerment of women in achieving
equality in the world of work is emphasized throughout the report, as this is an integral part of
its mandate. At the same time, the role of men in the gender discourse is also addressed. The
report analyses the different pressures on both working women and men. It canvasses
thoroughly research and data that rebut the perception that gender is a purely female issue.
In chapters addressing the different stages of the life cycle, the report assesses progress in
ILO action according to the four pillars of Decent Work. It identifies current gaps and
highlights good practices in overcoming gender equality deficits with regard to access to
rights, employment opportunities, social protection and social dialogue. The methodology is
based on research, policy recommendations, technical services (including technical
cooperation), partnerships and the advocacy efforts of the ILO. Each chapter is supported by
the most up to date available data and balanced analysis pertaining to the topic. The
cumulative effects of lifelong discrimination against women will be presented, and note is
taken of areas in which attention might be paid to equality for men.

Resolutions
As the 2009 session precedes the beginning of a biennial financial period, and subject to
the provisions of article 17, paragraph 2, of the Conference Standing Orders, no resolution
relating to a matter not included in an item placed on the agenda by the Conference or the
Governing Body may be moved.

ILC98-TRAITEXT-2008-10-0161-1-En.doc/v6

7

Standing Orders Committee
(ILC Standing Orders, section H)
This Committee may meet as required, if proposed amendments to the Standing Orders of
the Conference are received. Alternatively, the Conference may decide to refer any such
matters to the Selection Committee.

Selection Committee
(ILC Standing Orders, article 4
and section H, article 55(2))
The Selection Committee is composed of 28 members appointed by the Government
group, 14 members appointed by the Employers’ group, and 14 by the Workers’ group. Its
responsibilities include arranging the programme of the Conference, fixing the time and
agenda of its plenary sittings and acting on its behalf on any other routine question. Since the
1996 reforms to the Conference, most of these tasks have been delegated to the Officers of the
Committee. While the Selection Committee may be called on at any time to consider specific
issues, it normally holds only one sitting at the beginning of the Conference.

Credentials Committee
(ILC Standing Orders, article 5 and section B)
The Credentials Committee is composed of one Government, one Employers’ and one
Workers’ delegate, appointed by the Conference. It meets in closed sittings.
Its responsibilities include:

6.

–

examining the credentials, as well as any objection relating to the credentials, of delegates
and their advisers, or relating to the failure to deposit credentials of an Employers’ or
Workers’ delegate (ILC Standing Orders, article 5(2) and 26bis);

–

considering complaints of non-observance of article 13, paragraph 2(a), of the
Constitution (payment of expenses of tripartite delegations) (ILC Standing Orders, article
26ter);

–

monitoring of any situation with regard to the observance of the provisions of article 3 or
article 13, paragraph 2(a), of the Constitution about which the Conference has requested a
report (ILC Standing Orders, article 26quater);

–

determining the quorum required for the validity of votes taken by the Conference (ILC
Standing Orders, article 20(1)).

Reports

Communication of reports
Reports for examination in technical committees will be communicated to member States
at least two months before the session. Reports will be available in English, French, Spanish,
Arabic, Chinese, German and Russian. They will also be accessible electronically, with this
Conference guide, by visiting the ILO’s web site (www.ilo.org), and following the link for the
“International Labour Conference”.

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To enable all participants to prepare fully for the discussions, governments are urged to
distribute the reports sent to them in good time to Government delegates, as well as to those
representing the Employers and Workers. Conference participants are encouraged to bring the
documents thus received with them to Geneva, and to refrain, where possible, from requesting
additional sets once on the Conference site.

Publication of the Provisional Records
During the session, the decisions of the Conference and the record of proceedings in
plenary are published in Provisional Records in English, French and Spanish, and may also be
consulted on the ILO’s web site. Speeches delivered in plenary by delegates as part of the
discussion of the reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and of the DirectorGeneral will be recorded electronically. All plenary activities will be webcast.

7.

Interpretation
Interpretation services at Conference meetings will be provided in English, French,
Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, German, Russian and, in certain cases, Japanese. Interpretation
from Portuguese will also operate in tripartite meetings.

8.

Participation

Composition of delegations
Delegations to the International Labour Conference are composed of four delegates: two
Government delegates, one delegate representing the Employers and one delegate representing
the Workers (Constitution, article 3(1)).
Each delegate may be accompanied by advisers, who shall not exceed two for each item
on the Conference agenda (Constitution, article 3(2)). At the present session, this concerns
items III, IV, V and VI. Therefore, each Government, Employers’ and Workers’ delegate
to the 98th Session of the International Labour Conference may be accompanied by up to
eight advisers. To guarantee the required balance of Government, Employer and Worker
representatives, governments should ensure that an equal number of Employers’ and Workers’
advisers are appointed to each delegation. Travel and living expenses of delegates and their
advisers are to be borne by their respective member States (Constitution, article 13(2)(a)).
Under the Constitution, member States shall ensure that their delegations are fully
tripartite, and that the delegates are able to act in full independence of one another. They are
required to nominate non-Government delegates chosen in agreement with the industrial
organizations, if such organizations exist, which are most representative of employers or
workpeople in their respective countries (Constitution, article 3(5)).
Constituents are asked to remember that the success of the discussions depends on
the competencies of participants. It is therefore of critical importance that participants should
be chosen not only for the technical expertise required, but also with a view to adopting a
coordinated approach, involving action shared between different government administrations.
It is essential that the tripartite balance of delegations be maintained throughout the
duration of the Conference, for the purpose of voting, which takes place on the last days of the
session.

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9

Governments are also asked to bear in mind the resolution adopted at the 78th
Session (1991) of the Conference, which calls on governments, employers’ and workers’
organizations to include more women in their delegations to the International Labour
Conference.
Total delegates and advisers

No. of women

Percentage of total

2002

2 460

500

20.33

2003

2 642

540

20.44

2004

2 753

640

23.24

2005

2 684

597

22.20

2006

2 712

670

24.40

2007

2 813

678

24.10

2008

2 834

728

25.70

Since 2002, as the above table shows, there has been an overall trend of slight yearly
improvement in the proportion of women participating in the Conference, attaining a level of
25.7 per cent in 2008. Nevertheless, the percentage remains low, and the Credentials
Committee at the 97th Session deplored this fact, recalling the United Nations target of
increasing the proportion of women in decision- and policy-making bodies to at least 30 per
cent. The Committee accordingly called on constituents to strive to meet this target.
Governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations are therefore strongly urged
to include a higher percentage of women in delegations to the International Labour
Conference, with a view to obtaining equitable representation at an early date.

Credentials
Credentials of delegates and their advisers must be deposited with the International
Labour Office at least 15 days before the date fixed for the opening sitting, in line with article
26, paragraph 1, of the International Labour Conference Standing Orders. The closing date for
deposit of the credentials of all delegates and advisers is therefore Tuesday, 19 May 2009.
Participants cannot register for the Conference unless their credentials have been previously
deposited.
The form for the submission of credentials, attached to the letter of convocation, is
accompanied by an Explanatory note for national delegations on the importance of depositing
credentials with the secretariat, giving details on the various categories of participants at the
Conference, and the roles that they play. Contact details are given both in the Explanatory note,
and in Appendix I to this Conference guide.
Credentials may also be submitted electronically. Access codes will be sent to permanent
missions in Geneva in early 2009. These codes allow the form for credentials to be downloaded
from the Organization’s web site, and returned electronically to the ILO after completion.

Representation of non-metropolitan territories
See Appendix II.

Representation of international
non-governmental organizations
See Appendix III. The deadline for applications this year is 4 February 2009.

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9.

Health and safety
The International Labour Office will do all possible to safeguard participants’ health and
safety during the Conference. Conference participants are requested to report to the secretariat
any situation they believe to be a health or safety hazard. During the Conference full medical
services are available, but all participants must be aware that the ILO does not provide
insurance cover for accident or illness whilst journeying to or from Geneva or during the
period of the Conference. All participants must therefore ensure that they have adequate
insurance coverage in respect of illness and accident.

10.

Practical arrangements
Practical information of use to delegates during their attendance at the Conference can be
viewed online by visiting the ILO web site (www.ilo.org) and following the link to the
“International Labour Conference”, and then to “Practical information for delegates”. Further
information concerning the day-to-day running of the Conference can be obtained by
following the link to the “Daily Bulletin”.

Delegates with a disability
The Conference premises are fully accessible to persons with a disability.

Accommodation for delegations in Geneva
There is constant pressure for accommodation in Geneva in the month of June.
Delegations are therefore requested to make reservations well in advance. As the International
Labour Office does not have a hotel reservation service, delegations to the Conference
should request the diplomatic representations of member States in Geneva, or where
applicable, in Berne, to make the necessary reservations with hotels in the Geneva area.
Reservations may also be made through the:
Office du tourisme de Genève
18, rue du Mont Blanc
Case postale 1602
CH-1211 Genève 1
Telephone: +41 22 909 70 00
Facsimile: +41 22 909 70 11
Internet site: www.geneve-tourisme.ch

Entry visas for Switzerland and France
Entry visas for Switzerland are issued primarily by Swiss diplomatic representations
abroad. Delegates to the Conference who require an entry visa should submit a request, well in
advance, to the Swiss embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
VERY IMPORTANT: Please note that as of 12 December 2008, Switzerland applies
the European Schengen regulations concerning the issuance of visas. This has several
practical implications for the delegations at the Conference, that can be summarized as
follows:

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

The time for processing visa requests may vary from case to case and may be longer
than previously. Delegations are strongly encouraged to communicate their credentials to
the Office as early as possible and to take the necessary steps for visa application well in
advance (but at the earliest three months before the departure date), so that the visa can
be issued in a timely manner.



The members of the delegation must submit the following documents:



–

a travel document the validity of which exceeds that of the stay, and covers the
period necessary for the return journey;

–

a visa application form, together with two photos;

–

supporting documents concerning the purpose of the journey, e.g. a note verbale
from the Government duly initialled together with an order to perform the mission,
a copy of credentials, an invitation to the Conference, etc.;

–

any other document that the representation considers necessary.

Except for holders of diplomatic or service passports, the Swiss authorities may require
that member States provide proof of sufficient travel insurance.

The visa issued will be valid for entering the territory of all States belonging to the
Schengen area. Likewise, persons already holding Schengen visas issued by other Schengen
States will be permitted to enter Switzerland.
The main responsibility for obtaining entry visas for Switzerland lies with the
governments of member States for all delegates included by them in the delegation’s official
credentials.
The Office can only intervene with Swiss diplomatic representations if a visa request has
been refused by them. Such interventions may be made only on behalf of the following
categories of participants: delegates, persons formally designated as advisers, and persons
designated in accordance with article 2, paragraph 3(i), of the Standing Orders of the
Conference. For all other participants (“other persons attending the Conference” and “support
staff for the delegations”), member States should contact the Swiss representation in their
country directly and arrange their visas without any ILO involvement. Please note that for the
Office to intervene with Swiss diplomatic representations on behalf of the categories of
participants noted above, their credentials must have been received in Geneva by 19 May
2009.
In order for the Office to intervene in relation to a visa application as stated in the
preceding paragraph, the following conditions must be met:


the first and last names of the person concerned must be included in the official
credentials of the delegation within one of the categories of participants referred to above,
as submitted to the International Labour Office by the Government;



the visa application has already been processed by a Swiss diplomatic representation;



the request for intervention must reach the Office at least a week before the departure
date, indicating the Swiss representation to which the visa application is being made.

Delegates may wish to note that visas are issued upon arrival at the airport in Geneva
only in exceptional circumstances. When such circumstances so warrant (in particular where
there is no Swiss representation in the country of origin), the Swiss authorities may authorize
the issuance of a visa upon arrival in Switzerland, provided that the request is made

12

ILC98-TRAITEXT-2008-10-0161-1-En.doc/v6

sufficiently in advance of the departure date. The Office may intervene with the Swiss
authorities regarding exceptional requests for a visa to be issued on arrival, if the applicant is
included in the official credentials of the delegation, and the request reaches the Office at least
one week before departure. The following additional information must also be provided:


first and last name of the person concerned;



date of birth;



type and number of the passport and its issuance and expiry dates.

As the Office does not have the capacity to handle each request individually, it will,
where appropriate, transmit directly to the competent Swiss authorities its support for any visa
application within 24 hours of receipt of the request.
No request will be handled for persons who travel without having first obtained a visa,
or the necessary authorization to obtain it upon arrival in Switzerland. Any person who travels
to Switzerland without meeting these requirements may be denied entry at the point of
immigration.

Registration on arrival
Delegates will be able to register and collect their badges at the ILO Pavilion, at the
entry to the International Labour Office (headquarters building), provided that the Office
has received their credentials. The registration desk will be open on Monday, 1 June and
Tuesday, 2 June from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and as from Wednesday, 3 June, daily from 8 a.m.
to 6.30 p.m., and Saturdays as necessary, excluding Sundays.
Since the registration of delegates is the basis for calculating the quorum for votes, only
delegates who are actually attending the Conference should be registered. Delegates are
therefore encouraged to register in person upon their arrival and requested to give timely
notice of their departure if they leave before the end of the Conference. Moreover, the
Governing Body has requested the Office to restrict the practice of allowing permanent
missions to collect Conference badges for the whole delegation of the member State.
Permanent missions will in particular no longer be allowed to collect badges for Employer and
Worker representatives, unless they have been specifically authorized in writing by the
Employers and Workers concerned.
During the Conference all participants must be in possession of a personalized badge
issued by the ILO, and of an appropriate identity document, containing a photograph, to gain
access to the Palais des Nations complex. Badges must be worn visibly at all times.

Meeting room reservations
Participants wishing to reserve rooms for the purpose of bilateral, multilateral or group
meetings on matters related to International Labour Conference business may do so in advance
by email, as of 6 April 2009, to the following address: ilcrooms@ilo.org.

Visitors to the Conference
Visitors to the Conference may be issued with special visitors’ badges on presentation, at
the ILO Pavilion, of a national identity document bearing a photograph. Visitors’ badges are

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13

valid for access to the Palais des Nations only if they are accompanied by the aforementioned
national ID, which may be kept as security on a daily basis.
For access to the Palais des Nations, a dedicated visitors’ shuttle bus (specially marked)
will depart from the ILO and visitors will be required to alight upon arrival at the main Palais
des Nations gate to undergo UN security service scrutiny, prior to admission to UN premises.
Visitors shall adhere at all times to instructions as may be issued by security staff. They
may observe public sittings only from the public gallery of the relevant meeting room and are
not permitted to sit in the main body of the hall. Visitors are requested to ensure that they in no
way interfere with the orderly conduct of meetings.

Other matters
A shuttle-bus service will be available to transport participants between the ILO
headquarters building and the Palais des Nations (five- to ten-minute ride).
Car parking space at the Palais des Nations will be limited, and participants are
consequently encouraged to use public transport, or ILO car parks and the shuttle-bus service.

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Appendix I
Contact details
ILO web site: www.ilo.org
email address

Fax number

Telephone

By post to:
Office of the Legal Adviser
ILO
CH-1211 Geneva 22

credentials@ilo.org

+41 22 799 84 70

Registration of speakers

orateurs@ilo.org

+41 22 799 89 44

+41 22 799 77 30

Meeting room reservations

ilcrooms@ilo.org

Official Relations Branch
(for general inquiries)

RELOFF@ilo.org

+41 22 799 89 44

+41 22 799 77 32

Documentation

DISTR@ilo.org

+41 22 799 63 61

+41 22 799 80 40

Credentials

ILC98-TRAITEXT-2008-10-0161-1-En.doc/v6

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Appendix II
Representation of non-metropolitan territories –
deadline 17 February 2009
Under article 3, paragraph 3, of the Constitution:
Each Member which is responsible for the international relations of non-metropolitan
territories may appoint as additional advisers to each of its delegates:
(a)

persons nominated by it as representatives of any such territory in regard to matters within the
self-governing powers of that territory; and

(b)

persons nominated by it to advise its delegates in regard to matters concerning non-selfgoverning territories.

Alternatively, in line with the constitutional, political, economic and social development of
any non-metropolitan territory for which a member State is responsible, the non-metropolitan
territory in question may be invited, through the member State concerned, to participate by means of
a tripartite observer delegation in sessions of the Conference, with the rights and status accorded to
observers under the Standing Orders of the Conference.
Requests for invitations of non-metropolitan territories must reach the Office by
17 February 2009 to be submitted to the Governing Body for approval at its 304th Session
(March 2009).

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Appendix III
Representation of international non-governmental
organizations at the International Labour Conference
1.

Conditions to be met
Any international non-governmental organization (INGO) wishing to be invited to be
represented at the Conference should meet the following conditions. It should:

2.

(a)

demonstrate the international nature of its composition and activities by proving that it is
represented or has affiliates in a considerable number of countries and that it is active in those
countries;

(b)

have aims and objectives that are in harmony with the spirit, aims and principles of the
Constitution of the ILO and the Declaration of Philadelphia;

(c)

formally express a clearly defined interest, supported by its statutes and by explicit reference
to its own activities, in at least one of the items on the agenda of the Conference session to
which it requests to be invited;

(d)

submit its request, in writing, to the Director-General of the International Labour Office
as soon as possible and at least one month before the opening of the session of the
Governing Body preceding the session of the Conference, 1 i.e. by 4 February 2009.

Documents and information to be submitted
In order for the Office to verify that the conditions set out in subparagraphs 1(a), (b) and (c)
above are met by the organization submitting the request, the latter must send with its request:
–

a copy of its statutes; 2

–

the names and titles of its Officers;

–

a description of its composition and the aggregate membership of the national organizations
affiliated to it;

–

a copy of its latest report;

–

detailed and verifiable information about its sources of financing.

If, following the examination of the documents and information, the Office considers that the
organization submitting the request meets the prescribed conditions, its request will be submitted to
the Officers of the Governing Body for decision. 3
Organizations having regional consultative status, those on the ILO special list of INGOs,
those invited to previous sessions of the General Conference are considered to have satisfied the
conditions set out in subparagraphs (a) and (b) and are exempt from submitting once again the
documents and information indicated above.
Any request submitted less than one month before the opening of the session of the
Governing Body preceding the session of the Conference will not be examined.
Organizations which have been invited to be represented at the Conference may appoint one
representative only for each of the agenda items in which they have expressed a particular interest.
The participation of INGOs in the work of the Conference committees dealing with the technical
items in which they have expressed a particular interest is subject to a decision of the Selection
Committee (article 56.9 of the Standing Orders of the Conference).

1

ILC Standing Orders, article 2(4).

2

In English, French and Spanish, if these versions exist.

3

At its 256th Session (May 1993), the Governing Body delegated to its Officers the authority to
invite INGOs wishing to be represented at sessions of the General Conference.

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