Examines international standards, their interrelationship, and their interaction with national labour law, social security systems and regional regimes. Also reflects on the relevance and limitations of international standards and also highlights the importance of a human rights approach and the role of private actors in the protection of labour and social security rights.

Whether or not we ever attain universal social justice, there can be little doubt that the international community has set meaningful standards, and that significant progress has been made over the last century. The leading standard-setter throughout this period has been the International Labour Organisation (ILO), with its nearly 200 conventions on labour law and social security law. Yet it is often asked: how effective are these standards? Do any lLO Member States actually offer (to quote the Philadelphia Declaration of the ILO Conference of 1944) social security measures to provide a basic income to all in need of such protection and comprehensive medical care? Perhaps not, but some come close, thanks to the application of ILO standards. This much-needed volume is the first detailed analysis of the legal meaning of ILO conventions within the ratifying Member States. In unprecedented depth a panel of distinguished authorities explores the role of ILO conventions in preparing and amending national legislation, in parliamentary debate, and in national case law. For comparative purposes, five countries the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands-are studied in depth. Among the points of discussion that arise are the following: the social dumping¿ that results from distortion of competition;the lLO's supervision procedures;protection of international migrant workers;temporary exceptions for developing countries; andthe possibility of rnodernising texts of older conventions. A useful annex reprints the texts of the ILO Constitution and the so-called up-to-date conventions pertaining to social security which are currently being promoted for ratification by the ILO. At a time when the very meaning of such terms as work and social security is being challenged by prevailing economic and political forces, this full-scale reappraisal of a body of international law that, although soft, has had a pronounced positive effect on the progress of social justice is to be welcomed. It is well worth the close attention of government policymakers and regulators, company lawyers, and interested academics everywhere.

Although a sophisticated body of international social security law is active and growing, a number of States still appear unable to honour it. This thorough, well-researched survey and analysis of existing international social security law – its sources, its content, its historical development – is thus especially valuable for its informed consideration of the barriers to the law’s full effectiveness. Part of the renowned multi-volume Encyclopaedia of Laws, the book focuses on the analysis of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions and Recommendations on Social Security. It examines the most recent public debates on social protection (dealing with health insurance, unemployment benefits, pension age, minimum income, social security benefits in case of expatriation, parental leave, and much more), includes an updated bibliography, and opens some perspectives for the future work of the global institutions. It integrates the latest instruments, in particular ILO Recommendation No. 202 concerning national floors of social protection. Even in the absence of ratification and therefore of legal force, international social security standards are invaluable benchmarks in comparative law. Indeed, ILO standards are both useful instruments of analysis and excellent yardsticks for identifying common denominators among national systems. For these reasons this book will be welcomed by legislators, government officials, employers’ organizations, trade unions, and the judiciary, as well as by human resources managers and academics.

This report offers an in-depth overview of the important, and sometimes controversial, issues surrounding social security in a global context: its relationship to employment and development, its extension in terms of personal coverage, and its contribution to gender equality, as well as its financing. Consisting of resolutions and conclusions drawn from the International Labour Conference, 89th Session, 2001, this book contains the report to the conference - prepared for the general discussion on social security and sets out the key topics and priorities for providing and managing social security systems. Global trends in social security expenditure are covered, as the report addresses such pivotal questions as: Is social security facing an ageing crisis? Is it facing a globalization crisis? Has it reached its limits in terms of affordability? The concept of social dialogue, and its part in strengthening and expanding social security, is also discussed and the report considers how family and local solidarity networks, institutions, enterprises, governments and the international community can help enhance the effectiveness of social security. (ILO Website)

An ILO code of practice

This International Labour Law Handbook from A to Z aims to give a comprehensive overview of the development and current status of labour law and industrial relations issues, including globalization and international labour standards. In this Handbook there are cross-references to international labour standards and European Union directives, resolutions and regulations. In this respect, the reader will notice that some of the definitions from the public domain are taken from legislative and specialised texts dealing with international standards and institutions in generai. This International Labour Law Handbook from A to Z is in no way intended to offer an exhaustive and detailed treatment of ali labour law and industrial relations issues, rather a reference tool on seiected issues found in international instruments and/or social institutions. With this objective in mind, and to make the significant provisions of labour law and industriai relations more understandabie to a wider audience, certain liberties have been taken by the authors when reformulating and, in several cases, simplifying the terminology involved. The International Labour Law Handbook should not be used or regarded as an authoritative text on individuai international labour standards or on European Union labour law, but as an easy reference work for practitioners and scholars in the field of comparative labour law and industriai relations.