FES at the Heart of Global Labor Dialogue

Geneva’s calendar is always bustling with conferences, summits, and all kinds of multilateral events. Yet even in this packed schedule, one event consistently stands out: the annual International Labour Conference (ILC). Known as the “parliament of labour,” the ILC gathers delegates from governments, employers, and workers’ organizations from around the world. Organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), this unique forum is where global labor standards are debated, adopted, and shaped.

At the heart of the ILC are the critical issues shaping the world of work — from ending child labor and promoting gender equality to navigating the challenges of the digital economy. The decisions made here don’t just stay in Geneva; they ripple across industries, borders, and everyday lives.

The conference is also one of the highlights of the year for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES). Delegates from the headquarter in Berlin, country offices, and partner organizations from all over the world come to Geneva to contribute to the global dialogue.

To mark the occasion, FES hosted its annual reception on June 10th — a longstanding tradition that brings together representatives from trade unions, governments, international organizations, and civil society. The reception provides a vital space for networking and exchanging ideas, all in the spirit of promoting social justice, decent work, and strong international labor standards. With a sense of joy and reflection, this year's annual reception celebrated both the convening of the ILC and the 100th anniversary of FES.

This year it was officially opened by Renate Tenbusch, Director of FES Geneva. In her address, she acknowledged the cloud of uncertainty hovering over the UN, it´s institutions and it´s programs, which also affects the ILO and other international institutions. While illustrating the challenging times which the ILO and other international institutions are currently facing, she noted that the whole multilateral system is experiencing a so called Zeitenwende—a turning point. In the face of these developments, she emphasized that Geneva must redefine it’s role as a hub of international diplomacy. Progressive voices, particularly those of trade unions, must ensure that they have a seat at the table to make themselves heard and shape the future of international cooperation Luc Triangle, the General Secretary of ITUC mentioned in his short speech intervention that, while global governance is under threat and the international community is increasingly divided, the labour agency´s highest decision-making body has already been able to achieve some successful results for this year’s convention. These include the ratification of various agreements that e.g. provide more comprehensive protection of sea farer´s worker´s rights, as well as the implementation of preventive and protective measures concerning biological hazards in the working environment.

Michael Meier, Head of the International Cooperation Division, drew attention to the mounting pressure on multilateralism and democratic institutions induced by authoritarian forces. Once again, he underscored the need for progressive actors to unite and take action. In a pointed reference, he invoked the timeless words of Friedrich Ebert: “Democracy needs democrats”—a message that was true a hundred years ago and is even more vital today.