THE 113th Session International Labour Conference is slated to be held from June 2 to 13, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.
There will be no less than 700 representatives from 187 countries that will be attending this annual tripartite event.
Each country is entitled to nominate delegates from the government, employer, and worker entities.
As far as I recall, Malaysia is entitled to 2 government and 1 each from the employers and workers groups, respectively.
Registration for participation in the conference is facilitated by the respective governments.
It has been the practice of the government to underwrite the entire expenses for the official delegates and for some Advisers nominated by the government.
Advisers from both employers and workers organisations attending will be at their own arrangements or cost.
In the year 2009, the then Human Resources minister agreed for the government to fully sponsor one woman adviser to accompany the official delegation.
This is to demonstrate the government’s recognition of the large women workforce and, importantly, their contributions.
In that same year, the government agreed for women leaders to attend as advisers to the official delegation.
A woman representative from the Malaysian Trade Union Congress was part of the delegation that attended.
Thereafter, the practice of the government sponsoring one woman adviser for ILC was discontinued.
I wish to strongly recommend that the government give due consideration to revert to the practice of sponsoring one woman adviser from the relevant stakeholders to attend the forthcoming ILC 2025.
Our women workforce is fully deserving of that representation, recognition, respect and regard. – April 21, 2025
A. Balasubramaniam is the secretary for the Union of Employees of Port Ancillary Services Suppliers Port Klang(Unepass)