The Governing Body agreed to the establishment of the Standards Review Mechanism (SRM) in November 2011* to contribute to the implementation of ILO standards policy as set forth in the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization (2008) and to consolidate tripartite consensus on the role of international labour standards in achieving the ILO’s objectives.
At its 323rd Session in March 2015, the Governing Body decided to establish a tripartite working group as one component of the SRM to ensure that the body of standards is up to date and relevant to the world of work and requested the Director-General to prepare draft terms of reference for the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group**.
During tripartite consultations in October 2015, draft terms of reference for the SRM TWG were developed. The Office prepared a background information note for these consultations to facilitate the development of the terms of reference, outlining elements that had already been agreed to and those requiring further consideration before their formal adoption.
The SRM Tripartite Working Group is established by the Governing Body, to serve in an expert capacity, and shall report to the Governing Body through its Legal Issues and International Labour Standards (LILS) Section.
*GB.312/LILS/5 - Improvements in the standards-related activities of the ILO - ILO standards policy: The establishment and the implementation of a standards review mechanism; GB.312/PV, para. 577 - Minutes of the 312th Session of the Governing Body of the International Labour Office.
**GB.323/PV, para. 84 - Minutes of the 323rd Session of the Governing Body of the International Labour Office.
More information on Terms of reference for the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group
The SRM Tripartite Working Group shall contribute to the overall objective of the Standards Review Mechanism to ensure that the ILO has a clear, robust and up-to-date body of international labour standards that respond to the changing patterns of the world of work, for the purpose of the protection of workers and taking into account the needs of sustainable enterprises.
The SRM Tripartite Working Group shall review the international labour standards with a view to making recommendations to the Governing Body on:
(a) the status of the standards examined, including up-to-date standards, standards in need of revision, outdated standards, and possible other classifications;
(b) the identification of gaps in coverage, including those requiring new standards;
(c) practical and time-bound follow-up action, as appropriate.
Source: points 8 and 9 of the Terms of Reference
The SRM Tripartite Working Group shall be composed of a Chairperson and 32 members: 16 representing Governments, eight representing Employers and eight representing Workers. Members are not required to be members of the Governing Body. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the Governing Body on the nomination of the Government Group. A Vice-Chairperson shall be appointed each by the Employers’ and Workers’ groups from among their Working Group members.
Source: point 4 of the Terms of Reference
The Governing Body appointed Mr Jan Farzan (Germany) as Chairperson of the SRM TWG.
Source: SRM webpage
October 2015
Background information note - Tripartite consultations on the terms of reference of the Standards Review Mechanism tripartite working group.
November 2015
Terms of reference of the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working GroupGBdecision Decision on the third item on the agenda: The standards initiative: Terms of reference of the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group