International Labor Organization

Meeting in its 110th session in Mysore, India, the ILO Governing Body completed action on a number of projects designed to extend, in cooperation with the United Nations, technical assistance to economically under-developed areas. The Governing Body also authorized the Director-General (Morse) to raise with the Trusteeship Council a number of questions arising out of the reports of the administering authorities and relating to the applicability of ILO conventions and recommendations in trust territories. At the same session, the Governing Body approved procedures for the establishment of a nine-member commission to examine infringements of trade union rights, the first international fact-finding and conciliation commission on freedom of association. The members of the commission, to be chosen “for their personal qualifications” and expected to “discharge their duties with complete independence,” were to be selected by the Governing Body at its 111th session, to convene in Geneva on March 8, 1950. The commission was created in accordance with a request of the Economic and Social Council of August 1949 and was to function on behalf of the United Nations as well as the ILO. The Governing Body defined the commission as “essentially a fact-finding body” which was also authorized to consult with the government or governments concerned “with a view to securing the adjustment of difficulties by agreement.” Complaints alleging the violation of trade union rights were to be referred to the commission by either the Governing Body or the International Labor Conference.