The International Labour Conference (ILC), an annual event often called the World Parliament of Labour, convened in Geneva from 28 May to 8 June, 2018. More than 5,700 government, employer and worker delegates from the ILO’s 187 member States discussed some of the most pressing issues facing the world of work, all of which are applicable to the travel & tourism industry.
Travel & tourism cites job-creation as one of its primary advantages. But industry forums of “thought-leaders” devote inadequate attention to the issues and challenges facing the World of Work. The long-standing parochial focus of “Human Resources Development” has been on meeting the demand for qualified personnel, without a serious examination of the World of Work environment that exists for those personnel.
This issue of Olive Tree is devoted entirely to the outcomes of the International Labour Conference, all of which contribute to advancing SDG 8, which seeks to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, alongside “full and productive employment and decent work for all.”
The 2018 ILC was particularly important. It covered solid ground that examined the obstacles to gender equality at work and in society; violence and harassment at work; social dialogue and “tripartism” as a means to promote better wages and working conditions, social justice, peace and the SDGs. One of the key reports focuses on ensuring decent working time for the future.
Particularly noteworthy is the keynote speech by the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins on how employment and decent work can promote peace and resilience. These topics are all relevant in the light of the upcoming impact on jobs due to the pace and intensity of technological and demographic shifts. Like ecological challenges, social disruptions can quickly ignite political fires which in turn disrupt national peace and create more man-made crises.
I hope that this Edition of The Olive Tree will provide a starting point to upgrade the status of “Human Resources Development” and bring it on par with economic, ecological and technological issues on travel & tourism agendas. The ILO annual conference has laid all the necessary groundwork. The travel & tourism industry can, should and must play a major role in adopting and implementing its conclusions and suggestions if it wishes to be taken seriously as an “Industry of Peace.”
