Statement by Juan Antonio Quintanilla Román, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Cuba, at the 341st Session of the ILO Governing Body on "Reply of the Government of Venezuela to the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Convention 26 (Minimum Wages), Convention 87 (Freedom of Association) and Convention 144 (Tripartite Consultation)". (GB.341/INS/10). Geneva, Switzerland, 20 March 2021.
Mr. Chairman,
The government of Venezuela has demonstrated with facts its willingness to continue complying with its obligations and commitments within the framework of the ILO. Venezuela has taken actions in line with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry since the last meeting. The request for technical assistance, which was submitted in 2020 and was recently reiterated, is an illustration of this. Venezuela has kept on working, despite the war and unilateral coercive measures against this country.
Such assistance would contribute to consolidate the progress linked to the implementation of the conventions and would help to advance the dialogue with representative social organizations.
Mr. Chairman,
We reiterate Cuba's rejection of the manipulation of multilateral organizations to interfere in the internal affairs of States.
There is no doubt that we are facing a situation motivated by political interests within an organization where social interests should prevail. We hope that tripartite dialogue and technical assistance will be favored and that precedents will not be set because this would further politicize the organization’s decisions.
Mr. Chairman,
Article 33 of the ILO Constitution, applied only once in more than 100 years since the establishment of this Organization, is not applicable to Venezuela. In similar cases, the Governing Body has used different procedures that have led to better compliance with the standards in question.
The Governing Body should therefore take into account that the Venezuelan government has been implementing actions related to the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and is awaiting technical assistance from the ILO to continue moving forward.
At the same time, it should be noted that the Venezuelan government has pointed out that several of the recommendations of the commission of inquiry contravene the principles of sovereignty and self-determination. I ask everyone, what country would act against its own constitution, sovereignty and self-determination?
Mr. Chairman,
Concerning the draft decision, the sub amendment submitted by a group of countries introduces unnecessary political elements that seek to disregard the legitimacy of an ILO Member State. Therefore, it should not be considered.
The employers' amendment is untimely, having been submitted less than 48 hours before the beginning of this session. At the same time, it should be recalled that one of the government's measures was the establishment and continuity of the dialogue roundtables, in which the employers are included.
Cuba, taking into account the willingness of the Venezuelan government, the government concerned, believes that the workers' amendment should be considered as the best option.
The ILO has always been a forum for solutions and consensus, for broad and inclusive dialogue. Therefore, Cuba considers that, in the case of Venezuela, there is no reason to break with that tradition.
Thank you very much