Monitoring International Labor Standards: International Perspectives -- Summary of Regional Forums (2004)

Summary: In February and March 2003, the Committee on Monitoring International Labor Standards (CMILS) convened regional forums in Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. Participants included representatives from the International Labor Organization (ILO), national governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and the academic community. These forums provided an opportunity for participants to discuss local, national, and regional issues relating to compliance with international labor standards. While some topics received greater attention on a regional basis—such as child labor in Asia and the impact of HIV/AIDS in Africa—the three forums, when viewed together, demonstrate more similarities than differences when it comes to the challenges of adopting, promoting, and monitoring compliance with international labor standards.