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Participants discussed, inter alia, the draft Principles of Developing the Fundamentals of Labour Legislation (model Labour Code) for the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). The paper aims to outline the main approaches to regulating key labour relation issues within the Union. The GCTU believes that the labour law should help promote the steady and sustainable development of the Member States, the raising of living standards, and the creation of uniform conditions for work activities throughout the EEU. In other words, the EEU Fundamentals of Labour Legislation may serve as a basic legal act for establishing interstate standards. The EC endorsed the draft and decided to send it to the Eurasian Economic Commission for consideration.

The Session heard information on how trade unions were monitoring the ratification and implementation of ILO conventions in the countries where GCTU affiliates operate. Participants concluded that, despite some positive moves, the performance was still a far cry from the desired goal. Particularly regrettable is the lack of progress on Convention 102 concerning the Minimum Standards of Social Security that has not been ratified by any of the states in the region. However, the meeting noted that, owing largely to trade union efforts, a favourable environment had been created for new ratifications in some of the countries, which in the near future might change the whole picture for the better.

Simultaneously, Session drew the attention of the unions to the violations of ILO conventions in the region’s countries, in particular, those referred to in the latest Report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations. The Executive Committee urged the affiliates to remedy the situation, and recommended that they step up their activities to ensure the ratification and implementation of the conventions. While doing so, they were called upon to enhance cooperation with the International Labour Office in Geneva, and Sub-regional ILO Offices in Moscow and Budapest.

The Executive Committee also considered the use of Internet information and communication services both by the Headquarters and the member organisations of the GCTU. The decision taken on the issue recommends, among other things, that the Confederation’s affiliates should intensify their efforts to ensure their collective and individual presence in social networks.

The session adopted a GCTU Statement in connection with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work marked annually on the 28th of April.