Final thoughts from the group about the experience

 Alma´s reflections

On interviews

One conversation really stood out from the rest. I interviewed June Barrett, a professional domestic worker from Jamaica currently working in Miami, USA. June is the 2nd vice president of the IDWF, International Domestic Workers´ Federation, an executive Board Member at the Miami Workers Center and a leader in NDWA’s (National Domestic Workers Alliance) We Dream in Black Project.

Domestic workers in the US are not allowed to organize, but June will not let that fact stop her. Last year she was in the White House, promoting the rights for domestic workers. The Biden administration is now taking actions to change the situation and improving the terms and conditions for that sector. What really struck me was the fact that June is a practical nurse and a professional nanny with more than 20 years of experience. If June was employed by a company, it would be natural to get that work recognised - but as a domestic worker it is looked upon as something else. Even though the domestic care work includes a huge amount of predominated women it is still a “hidden workforce”. 

But June is optimistic - just being represented at the ILC is a huge victory for the sector. And June is getting even stronger in their belief that there will be a better future for her brothers and sisters in the domestic workers´group!

On the ILC

I really did not know what to expect. And leaving Sweden in the middle of a strike amongst the members of my union - The Swedish Association of Health Professionals - was not exactly the best of timings… But I must say that it has been a very enlightening experience, and a most agreeable one. So many interesting and warm conversations with people from all over the world, so many long hours, so many laughs and so much work! And of course a few dips in the Lac Lemon, morning walks with my roomie Sandra, some picnics at the pier and one afternoon a lovely trip to Annecy, France.

As a negotiator I have watched the workers´spokesperson in the committee for FPRW in full action - truly inspiring! I bring some quotes from Magnus with me back home:

• “No enterprise is sustainable unless they respect the fundamental principles and rights at work”
• “If two parties come out of the negotiating room equally unhappy, there will be a more sustainable agreement.”

Tobias's reflections

Reflections from these fantastic days at the ILO congress, both from interviews with some participants and informal conversations during the breaks, are as follows:

We in the Nordic countries have a high level of organization, unlike our brothers and sisters, "comrades," in the rest of the world. For example, the French labor movement believes it is more democratic to have open workplace elections than to have one union per workplace organizing the members, as we are accustomed to in the Nordic countries. An interesting point from a French comrade was that a combination of our models might be the best approach.

During all the interviews, the participants were very diplomatic in their responses regarding how they view the Nordic model compared to their own. However, one person stood out. He had a darker vision of the future and argued that multinational companies will start acting as they do in the rest of the world and ignore the social dialogue we have in the Nordic countries. He pointed to what is happening in Finland with restrictions on sympathy strikes and political strikes.

An observation I have also made regarding what is happening in Finland is that they have moved away from the union-political work, which makes them vulnerable as they do not have as much influence in decision-making rooms. And as a wise man said: "You can’t reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth."

Time will tell what will happen. But one thing is certain: if we workers do not engage in international issues, we definitely have a dark future ahead. It is the employers and member states that set the minimum standards we will have in working life.

Petteri´s reflections

The International Labour Organization (ILO) stands out as the paramount platform for workers to be heard within a tripartite framework, encompassing governments, employers, and workers' organizations. The 112th ILO meeting underscored the organization's dedication to discussing and upholding fundamental principles and rights at work, essential for human dignity and economic progress. Despite the persistent challenges such as child labor, forced labor, gender pay gaps, and occupational safety issues, the ILO remains a critical arena where workers can assert their concerns and influence global labor standards.

Organizing union members to enhance union density is essential for amplifying workers' voices in ILO meetings. A robust union presence ensures that workers' interests are effectively represented in policy discussions, leading to the adoption and enforcement of comprehensive labor standards. This collective power is crucial for promoting social dialogue and tripartism, which are foundational to achieving sustainable economic growth and social justice.

In the face of rising far-right political movements, which threaten to weaken labor laws and union influence, the ILO's role becomes even more significant. These movements can lead to increased exploitation and reduced job security, undermining the progress made in workers' rights. Therefore, fostering new strategies for dialogue and cooperation with employers who resist union negotiations is vital. Promoting tripartite dialogue, incentivizing fair practices, leveraging technology, building alliances, and raising awareness about the benefits of fair labor practices are all critical steps in this direction.

In conclusion, the ILO's unique tripartite structure makes it the best and only place where workers can be assured of a balanced and inclusive representation in the global discourse on labor rights. This structure not only facilitates effective policy-making but also ensures that the voices of workers, alongside those of employers and governments, contribute to shaping a fair and just labor market worldwide.

Silje´s reflections

During these two weeks, I`ve entered the door to a whole new world. I debunked some myths, and learned some great stuff. First of all, the big and scary ILO is just a bigger edition of the same work that we are doing, every day. All over we have the same fights, and the same issues. I saw myself in the workers, and I got an epiphany. 

Some of the issues in ILO are countries with “fake” delegates, which I noticed a few of. Socalled workers representatives praising the employers and government, telling everybody that their country is the greatest and that the breach of human rights were all a conspiracy against them. There must be a way of sorting out these delegates?

Further on I learned a lot from Nina Mjøberg about the Nordic influence, and how much our tripartite model actually means for the rest of the world. We have a lot of responsibility!

And meeting June Barrett was an honour. They are making such a difference for care workers everyday during their work (and fight). The world is in need of bravery and enthusiasm as theirs.

This is just a short summary of something that feels like a lifetime of learning, which I will carry with me in my daily life from now on. I feel so privileged!

Rasmus´s reflections

"The ILO is a fundamental organization for labor rights, but its stance on the social protection of specific groups, such as migrant workers or platform workers, remains unclear to me.

In the upcoming standard discussions next year, a crucial question to ask is what tasks ILO constituents will address when discussing social partnership. This is important to ensure that the ILO is not only an organization focused on ideology and diplomatic ideals but also of practical significance for rank-and-file workers on the shop floor."