On March 5th, in Geneve, Switzerland, have started the activities of the Committee on Freedom of Association of the International Labour Organization (ILO), in which, for the second time, Mexico participates through the Secretariat of Labour and Social Welfare, as one of the six governments that integrate the Governing Body of this organism for period 2008-2011. Representing Mexico attends Jorge Rodriguez Castañeda, Chief of the Unit of International Affairs.

In this encounter, that concludes on Friday 6th, will be analyzed 37 cases about complains against 19 State Members of ILO from a total of 182 countries.

On March 4th, the Mexican Government had a meeting with representatives of the governments that integrate the Committee, to share points of view and opinions on each one of the cases which will be considered in this occasion.

The Committee is a Tripartite Organism integrated by an Independent President and six representatives of governments, six of employers and six of workers. They meet 3 times a year, in March, May and November, to analyze privately complains due to violation of freedom of association against any State member of the ILO and sends its conclusions and recommendations to the Governing Body.

The participation of Mexico in the activities of the Committee ratifies the commitment of the Mexican Government with the application of the freedom of association and legality principles, that must prevail in all state of right, and with the defense of the interests of workers, which are clearly established in the National Plan of Development 2007-2012 and in the Sectorial Program of Labour and Social Welfare 2007-2012.