06513     2200205   4500001002100000005001500021035002000036008004100056245005200097100001500149260004600164300002300210020001800233084001700251520598300268082001106251650002406262990001006286990001106296INLIS00000000000243820220208113445  a0010-0621002038220208                g          0 eng  1 aFreedom Of Association And Economic Development1 aCaire, Guy  aSwitzerland :bImprimeries Rewnies,c1977  a159 hlm. ;c24 cm.  a92-2-101455-x  a338.09 CAI f  aFREEDOM OF ASSOCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTThe title of this book and the identity of its author 1 should not call for any explanation
but it does seem necessary to show how it fits in with the aims and activities of the International Labour Organisation. For the ILO freedom of association is more than just a field of study: since the setting up of the ILO it has been one Of the Organisation s fundamental objectives, which today is more important than ever. If workers are to be able to defend their interests effectively and, more generally, to play a genuine part in economic and social life, they must have freedom of association. This freedom is proclaimed in the constitutional texts of the ILO and has been reaffirmed in some of the Organisation s most important and most widely ratifled Conventions. In addition to the ILO s general supervisory system, through which the application of Conventions adopted in this field is regularly followed up, special machinery to help to protect and promote freedom of association was set up 25 years ago and is still extensively used. The importance and universal validity of the principles of freedom of association have frequently, and again only recently, been confirmed in resolutions adopted by the general conference and by regional conferences of the African, American, Asian and European States members of the ILO, as well as in appeals by those conferences to all countries to ensure full application of the principles in question. Although no voices are raised in disagreement when these principles are being proclaimed, difficulties arise when it comes to their implementation. It is in the field of freedom of association that Conventions have been most widely ratified and supervisory procedures most fully has run up against the most serious obstacles. On reflection, however, this isnot surprising. Trade union rights are so closely bound up with the organisation of society, with civil liberties and, more generally, with national life that they are inevitably influenced by national concepts and institutions, and in many cases even by the vagaries of domestic politics. The problems that have impeded the implementation of freedom of association in many countries vary widely in nature and importance. One particular difficulty which is often cited-not only in connection with freedom of association-and which may be more or less openly referred to or may merely transpire in the course of discussions about the application of ILO Conventions, has to do with the relationship that may exist between freedom of association and economic development. Is freedom of association a possible hindrance to economic development? If so, would there be justification for restricting, or even abolishing, that freedom in order to meet the requirements of development? Or, conversely, should a slower rate of development be accepted as the price to be paid in order to preserve freedom of association? In the view of the ILO, this is not an insoluble dilemma. In fact, it is to a large extent a false problem. For the ILO, there can be no justification for sacrificing either economic development or freedom of association. Sustained economic development has always been considered an important factor of social progress, but it is not an end in itself: rather is it a means towards achievement of social and humanitarian aims, which should not be lost from sight. This view, which the ILO has long advocated, received support from the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1970 when, in adopting the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade, it drew particular attention to the social objectives ofdevelopment and set the economic aspect in its social context. It should therefore be possible, as qualified spokesmen have often insisted, to reconcile the requirements of development with the right of individuals to live and fulfil themselves in a climate of freedom and dignity. People might say, however, that these are just well-meaning generalities which represent a far too idealistic view of things. What is the real relationship between freedom of association and economic development? What truth is there in the claims that they are incompatible? A scholarly and objective study of the matter seemed to be called for. The purpose of this book is to assess whether and to what extent there is validity in an objection that is sometimes made to the principles of freedom of association, so as to be able either to show it up as false or to suggest ways of overcoming it. The intention, in other words, is to probe deeper into the problem and thus to promote a more widespread application of a standard of human freedom to which the ILO remains firmly attached.The subject is therefore an important one, and raises fundamental issues of social policy. In more general terms, it has to do with the effectiveness of the efforts of the international community to protect human rights, at a time when the International Covenants on Human Rights of 1966 have just come into force. It is fortunate therefore that Professor Caire, a well known authority on economic and social questions, should have agreed to undertake this work. The reader will no doubt appreciate the new light he casts on this highly controversial subject, of which this is the first detailed study. The author was left entirely free to choose his methodology, and his conclusions are also his own. His findings do not represent any official doctrine, although the ILO would subscribe to many of them. Obviously, however, there may be other opinions
it may in fact be useful some day to organise a far-ranging discussion of the subject. But somebody had to clear the way, explore a field which is not without pitfalls, clarify issues on which the strongest views are sometimes heard, and do so in a responsible and independent manner. The ILO is grateful to Professor Caire for having succeeded.By-Epy.  a338.09 4aEkonomi Pembangunan  a06602  a024378