The ILO Constitution also contains provisions for the examination by the Governing Body of representations by workers' and employers' organisations that a member State is failing to apply a ratified Convention. It also provides for the examination, if the Governing Body so decides, by a Commission of Inquiry of a complaint filed by a member State that another member State is failing to apply a Convention which both have ratified. The Governing Body may adopt the same procedure either on its own or on receipt of a complaint from a delegate to the Conference. Direct contacts may be established between governments and the ILO to examine problems affecting the ratification or implementation of Conventions. These contacts involve a visit by an ILO representative to the country in question and informal discussion of the discrepancies noted or the difficulties encountered with the government authorities. During this process, employers' and workers' organisations are kept informed of these discussions and their points of view are elicited.
Service and support of technical cooperation activities
The objective of technical cooperation activities in the maritime sector is the same as for the whole programme of the Organisation which, in this case, is to help assist member States to contemplate action in the observance of standards regarding maritime workers' employment conditions and, thereby, to contribute both to improved conditions of work and life for this group and to the effectiveness of a country's maritime industries. Furnished at the request of receiving governments, this assistance covers the wide field of maritime labour and related social questions with which the ILO is concerned and draws upon international skills and the Organisation's cumulative experience of many years of operational activities. Substantive support to technical cooperation is provided by the Maritime Industries Branch of the ILO. In addition, over forty ILO offices located in countries throughout the world, provide both technical and administrative support to these field operations.
Technical assistance from the ILO may be provided in the form of surveys or expert advice executed in the country concerned by consultants, fellowships, study grants and awards for training abroad, regional and inter-regional training courses and seminars, establishment of pilot projects and exchange of technical information. The broad fields in which technical aid can be provided include in particular:
- labour legislation, administration and conditions of employment;
- maritime manpower;
- vocational training and certificates;
- recruitment and placement of maritime workers;
- occupational safety and health;
- welfare;
- social security; and
- labour management cooperation.
