Reply to the 13th report of the International Labour Organisation
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 24th April 1964 (6th Sitting) (see Docs. 1678Docs. 1678, 13th report of ILO, and 1737, draft Resolution presented by the Social Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 24th April 1964 (6th Sitting).
1. It is with particular interest that the Consultative Assembly has taken note of the 13th report presented to it by the International Labour Organisation, covering the period from August 1962 to July 1963. this report is very full and interesting, and the Assembly appreciates that it also gives some indications of the future activities of ILO.
2. With regard to the development of automation, the Assembly shares the concern which has been expressed in many countries concerning the serious human and social problems to which the rapid introduction of automation has given rise. This trend will presumably continue at an accelerated speed and, unless steps are taken a long time in advance to offset the adverse effects thereof for many industrial workers and office employees, a serious crisis may arise. In the first instance, the danger would, of course, be that of extensive unemployment and fear of unemployment. This would lead to a general decrease of demand which again might create a vicious circle. It is true that some experts hold the view that automation, like technological progress in the past, will in the long run create more jobs than it will render redundant. In any case, however, one should be prepared for a long and difficult transition period, which will require a series of measures, particularly in the field of vocational training, vocational readaptation, reduction of working hours, adaptation of wages policies to the new production methods, etc. The Assembly is pleased, therefore, that ILO will pay increasing attention to these problems.
3. In the view of the Assembly, however, the modern technological development does not only call for a policy "of defence", as it were, to counteract possible dangers inherent in this development. An active social policy is also called for to make sure that all the enormous possibilities of economic and social progress which the new techniques seem to promise are really utilised to the full and in a fair way for all groups of the population and for all regions. In this respect the problem of leisure, to which the Consultative Assembly has devoted a long but still incomplete report, could be made the subject of a thorough study by ILO. The two organisations could perhaps collaborate profitably in this field.
4. As far as European countries are concerned, there is, no doubt, a connection between the development of automation and the trend towards economic integration. On the one hand, large markets are required in order that undertakings may fully utilise the most modern production methods. On the other hand, free international competition will force undertakings to modernise their production methods in order not to become obsolete. The social consequences of the whole of this development are therefore of the greatest importance to Europe.
5. Certain aspects of the technological evolution - namely the physical and mental health problems involved - are being studied by a joint medical-social working party within the framework of the Council of Europe. The studies undertaken by this working party include already some social aspects of the question.
6. Some provisions of the European Social Charter can be used as instruments in a policy of adaptation to the consequences of the growth of automation or other technological developments. This applies particularly to Article 1, paragraph 1, under which the Contracting Parties accept as one of their primary aims and responsibilities the achievement and maintenance of as high and stable a level of employment as possible, with a view to the attainment of full employment, Article 2, paragraph 1, which obliges the Parties to reduce the working week progressively to the extent that the increase of productivity and other relevant factors permit, and Article 10, paragraph 3 (b), which provides for "special facilities for the retraining of adult workers needed as a result of technological development or new trends in employment."
7. Much more should, however, be done, as it would, no doubt, be of great interest for the Council of Europe to arrange for a study of the whole complex of social problems related to the growth of automation, in the closest collaboration with the International Labour Organisation.
8. The Consultative Assembly takes a very great interest in such problems as manpower assessment, planning and organisation, and vocational training, to which ILO also pays great attention, as reflected in the 13th report.
9. In this general context, the Assembly would like to draw the attention of ILO to a Recommendation which was adopted by the Assembly in January this year -namely
Recommendation 381 (1964) on the problems raised by population trends in Europe. The background of this Recommendation is, inter alia, the present movement towards a general ageing of the population in Europe and the relative decrease in the labour force. The Assembly would like to see convoked a "European Population Conference" to examine problems of every kind -social, political and human in the broadest sense - raised by the population trends in Europe, and the proposed remedies. A plan of research should be drawn up, and suggestions made as to the means of implementing a European population policy. In the view of the Assembly, such a conference should be composed of representatives of Governments and of the intergovernmental organisations concerned, including, of course, ILO.
10. Certainly, questions of the best utilisation of human resources, including manpower assessment, planning and organisation, vocational training, etc., are closely linked with the problems arising out of the growth of automation and other aspects of the technological evolution. In the opinion of the Assembly, it would be of interest, therefore, if ILO - in dealing with the last question - could also throw light on the effects which the growth of automation may have in counterbalancing the consequences of the expected relative decrease of the labour force.
11. The Assembly would like, in reply to the 13th report of ILO, to express, as on earlier occasions, its satisfaction with the technical assistance which ILO is extending to several member countries of the Council of Europe and the role which some member countries play as host countries in certain ILO study programmes.
12. The new International Centre for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training is an international enterprise of great importance for the developing countries. The Consultative Assembly wishes to congratulate ILO for this achievement and to express the hope that the negotiations with Governments, including a number of European Governments, concerning the financing of the Centre, will prove successful.
13. The report and Recommendations of the meeting of experts on assistance to migrant workers in European countries, organised jointly by ILO and the United Nations European Office in October 1962, may be of considerable value to European Governments in connection with the application of Article 19 of the European Social Charter, which deals with the right of migrant workers and their families to protection and assistance.
14. No doubt much has been done to improve the conditions of migrant workers in Europe, and particularly by the Members of the European Economic Community. Adjustment problems of migrant workers have been studied also within the framework of the Council of Europe. Moreover, the Council of Europe is studying the means to solve, at least on the European plane, the serious problem of the enforcement of maintenance obligations on behalf of families of migrant workers remaining in the country of origin. Much remains, however, to be done - perhaps with regard to housing facilities and family reunion in particular.
15. In the important field of social security, the Consultative Assembly is pleased to be informed that the close collaboration between ILO and the Committee of Experts on Social Security of the Council of Europe has made considerable progress. The Assembly is particularly grateful for the assistance which ILO continues to extend to the Council of Europe in this field. Other products of this collaboration - the draft European Code and Protocol of Social Security - have now been adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and these instruments have been signed in April this year. The Assembly hopes that new subjects may be taken up in the social security field in collaboration between the two organisations, such as, for example, the question of social security for students.
