ILO Director-General concludes visit to Colombia

BOGOTA (ILO News) – The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, concluded his first official visit to Colombia after addressing the opening session of the XXII Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labour (IACML) of the Organization of American States (OAS), on 23 October 2024, in Bogotá, under the leadership of Colombia’s Ministry of Labour.

As part of his visit, Houngbo met with the Colombian Minister of Labour, Gloria Inés Ramírez, as well as with all representatives of workers’ (CUT, CGT, and CTC) and employers’ organizations (ANDI). During these meetings, the Director-General emphasized the importance of effective and institutional tripartite consultations among all these actors. Such consultations are not optional, but a requirement engrained in International Labour Standards. 

“I encourage all parties to cultivate trust and use tripartite social dialogue as an instrument to address the challenges Colombia is facing. Genuine tripartite discussions, where the Government, workers’ and employers’ representatives can express their views, can take time to bear fruit,” Houngbo said. “Social dialogue cannot be a box-ticking exercise, it requires patience and commitment”. 

In addition to his national meetings, the Director-General also engaged in discussions with the OAS Trade Union Technical Advisory Council (COSATE) and the OAS Business Technical Advisory Committee on Labour Matters (CEATAL), reinforcing the ILO’s focus on effective social dialogue. 

At the opening of the XXII Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labour (IACML), the Director-General emphasized the pressing need for social justice, productive employment and decent work in the Americas. He underscored that the region faces significant challenges, including unemployment, widespread informality, and deepening inequalities, which threaten social cohesion. To address these issues,  Houngbo called for a renewed focus on creating formal employment, fostering inclusive economic growth, and ensuring that technological and green economy advancements benefit everyone. Central to these efforts is the Global Coalition for Social Justice, a partnership initiative aimed at building a new social contract and promoting decent work.

The Director-General further stressed that achieving social justice requires strong governance, inclusive social dialogue, and a commitment to eliminating inequalities and discrimination. He highlighted the importance of creating a fair world of work through the active involvement of worker and employer organizations, robust labour standards, and a proactive approach to managing transitions in the rapidly changing labour market. The speech concluded with a call for reaffirming shared values such as democracy, human rights, and non-discrimination to build a more inclusive and sustainable future of work for the region.