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The ILO and small-scale mining

Martin Georg Hahn

International Labour Office

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Introduction

International Labour Organization (ILO) UN specialised agency Seeks the promotion of social justice and

internationally recognized human and labour rights

Unique tripartite structure Workers Employers Governments

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ILO – main areas of work

International Labour Standards Employment Social protection

eg. occupational safety and health, social security

Social dialogue Employers’ organizations, trade unions Sectoral social dialogue

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ILO and mining

International Labour Conferences Minimum Age (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No.5) Hours of Work (Coal Mines) Convention, 1931 (No.31)

Industrial committees 1944 decision to establish seven industrial committees

Textiles; Coalmining; Inland transport; Iron and steel production; Metal trades; Petroleum production and refining; Building, civil engineering and public works

Tripartite sectoral meetings Tripartite Meeting on Social and Labour Issues in

Small-scale Mines, 1999 Tripartite Meeting on the Evolution of Employment,

Working Time and Training in the Mining Industry, 2002 Meeting of Experts on Safety and Health in Coalmines,

2006

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Means of action

In order to improve working conditions, the ILO typically provides/carries out

Technical assistance Including development of

guidance/reference materials Technical cooperation

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The basis of ILO’s work: ILS

International Labour Standards are expressions of international tripartite agreement on a matter

Conventions International treaties, subject to ratification Create binding obligations under International Law Might require Member States to amend their national

legislation Recommendations

Set out guidelines which can orient national policy and action

Often complement Conventions

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ILS relevant to ASM

Child labour Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No.138) Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No.182)

Occupational safety and health Among many others:

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No.155)

Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No.176)

Indigenous people The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989

(No.169)

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Examples of ILO’s work

Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No.176) Small-scale mining

Handbook safety & health in small-scale surface mines

LSM Tripartite workshops Codes of practice (such as: COP on safety and health in

underground coalmines, or COP on open-pit mining); and Guidelines (including Guidelines on HIV/AIDS for the

mining sector). Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention,

1989 (No.169) Compendium of examples of good practice

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Child labour

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No.138); andWorst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999

(No.182)

World Day against Child Labour 2005Call for Action: Minors out of Mining!

Elimination of child labour in ASM by 2015 Target countries: Brazil, Burkina Faso, Colombia,

Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Ghana, Mali, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, and Togo

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IPEC Strategy

Creation of an enabling environment for the elimination of child labour Knowledge generation Awareness-raising Education Capacity building

Main elements Removal and rehabilitation Provision of educational alternatives Income generation for families

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Time-bound programmes

Comprehensive framework Set of integrated and coordinated policies and

interventions with clear goals, specific targets and a defined time frame, aimed at preventing and eliminating a country’s worst forms of child labour.

TBPs emphasize the need to address the root causes of child labour

TBPs are linked to national development policies, macro-economic trends and strategies Particular emphasis on economic and social policies to

combat poverty and to promote universal basic education and social mobilization.

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Work in Brazil related to ASM

Child labour Time bound programme for the

elimination of child labour Decent Work Programme for Bahia State Continued work on the list of hazardous

occupations (required by C.182) Silicosis

National plan for the elimination of silicosis (PNES)

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Thank you

For further information

www.oitbrasil.org.brwww.ilo.org/ipec

www.ilo.org/sector