The International Labour Organisation (ILO) announced last year that it would hold a major Tri-Partite meeting in Geneva (24-28 September 2007) on “The Impact of Global Food Chains on Employment. These “Tri-Partite” meetings are so called because they involve representatives of governments, employees (trade unions) and employers (employer associations).

The meeting topic originally covered a very broad range of sectors: agriculture, food processing, food wholesale, food retail and catering/restaurants. In the light of criticism expressed by the Employer group, ILO has reviewed and narrowed the scope of the meeting, eliminating catering and restaurants. The title is now: Employment in the Food & Drink Industries: The Challenge of Global Food Chains.

As some of IH&RA’s Foodservice Members source products from the major players involved in the meeting (eg Cargill, Nestlé, Kraft, Unilever, Coca Cola etc.) the topic remains of concern to them. For this reason, a representative of these Foodservice Members will be welcome in Geneva as an observer on the “Employer” Group to provide expertise as needed on the spot.

IH&RA has already circulated the preliminary draft of the ILO Report proposed for discussion at the meeting.

The International Organization for Employers (IOE), our umbrella trade representation in Geneva, will coordinate the Employer Group at the meeting. IH&RA will continue to circulate discussion documents to its Members to ensure that the Employer Group is well prepared on all issues which may arise for debate.