The European Union expressed regret that not all conclusions of the International Labour Conference's Committee on the Application of Standards (CAS) could be adopted by consensus, noting that two governments insisted on a vote regarding their cases, one for the third time. In a statement delivered on 11 June 2026 at the 114th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, the EU also regretted that one government was not available to engage with the committee's work as foreseen under the working methods outlined in document D.1.
The EU welcomed the constructive engagement of constituents and the concrete conclusions reached during the centenary CAS session, which provide guidance on implementing international labour standards in law and practice. The statement, delivered on behalf of the EU and its member states, also aligned with candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, EFTA country Norway, and the United Kingdom.
The EU emphasised the importance of countries on the final list responding promptly to invitations to appear before the committee for tripartite discussion, calling this essential for the effectiveness of the committee's work. The statement reaffirmed strong commitment to the independence, objectivity, and impartiality of the ILO Committee of Experts, whose analysis and expertise provide a solid basis for CAS work.
The EU highlighted the timeliness of this year's General Survey on "Employment and decent work for peace and resilience," noting its relevance amid multidimensional crises and its reminder that universal and lasting peace can only be achieved through social justice. The survey illustrates how employment policies promoting freely chosen employment and decent work can help prevent crises and enable job-rich recovery, with social dialogue mechanisms as the foundation for inclusive recovery.
The statement also welcomed deepening cooperation between the Committee of Experts and UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies, calling this collaboration crucial for enhancing human rights fulfilment and feeding into the UN80 process, while respecting autonomous mandates.
The EU reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting and strengthening the ILO's supervisory system, describing it as one of the most comprehensive and valuable elements of the multilateral rules-based order. The statement concluded with anticipation of constructive engagement with the ILO Office and tripartite constituents in follow-up to the committee's conclusions.