Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981
Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 is an International Labour Organization Convention.
Background
The ILO Convention 156 followed the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 1979, which recommended some maternity leave, and said in its preamble that states are "aware that a change in the traditional role of men as well as the role of women in society and in the family is needed to achieve full equality between men and women".Contents
The ILO Convention 156 was established in 1981, with the preamble stating:Article 1 provides the definition of "workers with family responsibilities"
Article 2 states that all branches of economic activity and all categories of workers fall under this convention.
Article 3 cites Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention to define the discrimination
Article 4 calls for measures to ensure these workers can freely choose employment and have their needs considered in employment terms and social security.
Article 5 advocates for community planning and services that support workers with family responsibilities.
Article 6 encourages public education to foster understanding and support for equality and the challenges faced by these workers
Article 7 promotes vocational guidance and training to help such workers enter, remain in, or return to the workforce.
Article 8 states that family responsibilities should not be a valid reason for terminating employment.
Article 9 allows the Convention's provisions to be implemented through various national legal and institutional frameworks.
Article 10 permits phased implementation of the Convention, considering national conditions, with reporting requirements on progress.
Article 11 ensures employers' and workers' organizations can participate in developing and applying measures related to the Convention.
Articles 12-19 detail the procedures for ratification, entry into force, denunciation, and revision of the Convention, as well as the roles of the ILO and its Director-General in these processes.
This convention is cited by Maternity Protection Convention, 2000.