100 years of the ILO in action: Reflections on inclusive collective representation and the organization's quest for social justice

Abstract

Freedom of association is the bedrock of the International Labour Organization and yet its century plus history has been confronted with enormous challenges to the protection of this fundamental right and the elaboration of its contours. This reflection aims at reviewing some of the most significant challenges encountered, the tools for their resolution and the important consequential impact, anchoring the basic tenets of democracy. It concludes by reflecting on means for filling remaining gaps to full, equal and democratic participation in tripartite governance.