Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) Project

Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) Project

Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) Project The Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) project is an initiative launched by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which aims to promote and uphold the core principles and rights of workers globally. In collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), the project is now being implemented to raise awareness and share best practices regarding labour standards.

About the FPRW Project
The FPRW project is rooted in the ILO's 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which underscores the importance of certain basic human values that are fundamental to social and economic life. The declaration obliges all ILO member countries to promote these principles, regardless of whether they have ratified specific conventions related to them. In 2022, the project was updated to include five key categories, each supported by relevant conventions.

The five categories of the FPRW Project, along with their associated conventions, are:

1. Freedom of Association and the Effective Recognition of the Right to Collective Bargaining:
   • Workers and employers have the right to freely form and manage their own organisations, without external interference.
   • This right is safeguarded by conventions such as:
     • Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (No. 87), 1948
     • Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No. 98), 1949
2. Elimination of All Forms of Forced or Compulsory Labour:
   • Workers must have the freedom to join or leave employment freely, subject to reasonable notice periods.
   • Key conventions include:
     • Forced Labour Convention (No. 29), 1930
     • Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105), 1957
3. Effective Abolition of Child Labour:
   • This category seeks to eliminate child labour, setting minimum age requirements for work.
   • Relevant conventions include:
     • Minimum Age Convention (No. 138), 1973
     • Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182), 1999
4. Elimination of Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation:
   • Discrimination based on race, sex, religion, or other personal characteristics should be eliminated.
   • Conventions that support this category include:
     • Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100), 1951
     • Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. 111), 1958
5. Safe and Healthy Working Environment:
   • This focuses on creating a workplace that prevents accidents and health issues.
   • Key conventions are:
     • Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155), 1981
     • Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 187), 2006

1. Non-Tariff Barrier to Trade:
   • India's cotton industry has faced challenges, including being listed in the US Labour Department's "List of Goods Produced by Child Labour or Forced Labour." The FPRW project helps address this issue, potentially easing trade barriers and enhancing India's international standing in terms of labour standards.
2. Global Obligation:
   • As an ILO member state, India is bound by the FPRW principles, whether or not it has ratified specific related conventions. This collaboration with the ILO helps India align with global labour standards and enhance its credibility on the international stage.
3. Sustainable Workforce:
   • By fostering a more equitable and sustainable working environment, particularly in industries like cotton farming, the FPRW project aims to improve working conditions and provide long-term benefits to workers and their families. This can contribute to more sustainable livelihoods and a stronger workforce.
4. Socio-economic Upliftment:
   • The FPRW project will provide cotton-growing communities with knowledge about various government schemes and initiatives aimed at their socio-economic upliftment. This includes improving access to vocational training and creating better linkages to opportunities for growth, empowering workers and their families.
5. Attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
   • The project supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
     • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by promoting fair and equal opportunities for all workers.
     • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by ensuring safe working conditions, fair wages, and inclusive employment practices for all workers.

Key Takeaways
The FPRW Project is a critical initiative aimed at improving the rights and conditions of workers globally, with a particular focus on countries like India, where issues related to child labour, forced labour, and workplace safety are pressing concerns. Through collaboration with the ILO, the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), and other stakeholders, this project will help bring about significant improvements in the textile sector and beyond, promoting fair treatment, decent work, and social and economic progress for all workers.

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