THE ILO DECLARATION OF 1998 ON FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND RIGHTS - A CHALLENGE FOR THE FUTURE

In one of its rare solemn declarations, the International Labour Confe rence has just reaffirmed. without opposition, the obligation of all I LO member States to adhere to the principles underlying the ILO's fund amental Conventions - freedom of association and the elimination of fo rced labour, child labour and discrimination in employment. With the a im not of punishment but of promoting respect for fundamental principl es and rights at work, the Declaration sets out procedures for follow- up. In fact, a remarkable text to have been adopted in the political c ontext of the late 1990s. The next step is to put the procedures into practice.