C082 - Social Policy (Non-Metropolitan Territories) Convention, 1947 (No. 82)

• Subject Matter: Social policy,Politique sociale,Política social
• Court: International Labour Organization

Preamble

The General Conference of the International Labour Organisation,

Having been convened at Geneva by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office, and having met in its Thirtieth Session on 19 June 1947, and

Having decided upon the adoption of certain proposals concerning social policy in non-metropolitan territories, which is included in the third item on the agenda of the Session, and

Having determined that these proposals shall take the form of an international Convention,

adopts this eleventh day of July of the year one thousand nine hundred and forty-seven the following Convention, which may be cited as the Social Policy (Non-Metropolitan Territories) Convention, 1947:

PART I. OBLIGATIONS OF PARTIES

Article 1

1. 1. Each Member of the International Labour Organisation which ratifies this Convention undertakes that the policies and measures set forth in the Convention shall be applied in the non-metropolitan territories for which it has or assumes responsibilities, including any trust territories for which it is the administering authority, other than the territories referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, subject to the concurrence of the Governments of the territories concerned in respect of any matters which are within the self-governing powers of the territories.
2. 2. Where the subject matter of this Convention is wholly or primarily within the self-governing powers of any non-metropolitan territory, the Member responsible for the international relations of that territory may, in agreement with the Government of the territory, communicate to the Director-General of the International Labour Office a declaration accepting on behalf of the territory the obligations of this Convention.
3. 3. A declaration accepting the obligations of this Convention may be communicated to the Director-General of the International Labour Office--
   • (a) by two or more Members of the Organisation in respect of any territory which is under their joint authority; or
   • (b) by any international authority responsible for the administration of any territory, in virtue of the Charter of the United Nations or otherwise, in respect of any such territory.

PART II. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Article 2

1. 1. All policies designed to apply to non-metropolitan territories shall be primarily directed to the well-being and development of the peoples of such territories and to the promotion of the desire on their part for social progress.
2. 2. Policies of more general application shall be formulated with due regard to their effect upon the well-being of the peoples of non-metropolitan territories.

Article 3

1. 1. In order to promote economic advancement and thus to lay the foundations of social progress, every effort shall be made to secure, on an international, regional, national or territorial basis, financial and technical assistance to the local administrations in order to further the economic development of non-metropolitan territories.
2. 2. The terms under which such assistance is granted shall provide for such control by or co-operation with the local administrations in determining the nature of the economic development and the conditions under which the resulting work is undertaken as may be necessary to safeguard the interests of the peoples of such territories.
3. 3. It shall be an aim of policy for the responsible government authorities to arrange that adequate funds are made available to provide public or private capital or both for development purposes on terms which secure to the peoples of non-metropolitan territories the fullest possible benefits from such development.
4. 4. In appropriate cases, international, regional, or national action shall be taken with a view to establishing conditions of trade which will encourage production at a high level of efficiency and make possible the maintenance of a reasonable standard of living in non-metropolitan territories.

Article 4

All possible steps shall be taken by appropriate international, regional, national and territorial measures to promote improvement in such fields as public health, housing, nutrition, education, the welfare of children, the status of women, conditions of employment, the remuneration of wage earners and independent producers, the protection of migrant workers, social security, standards of public services and general production.

Article 5

All possible steps shall be taken effectively to interest and associate the peoples of non-metropolitan territories in the framing and execution of measures of social progress, preferably through their own elected representatives where appropriate and possible.

PART III. IMPROVEMENT OF STANDARDS OF LIVING

Article 6

The improvement of standards of living shall be regarded as the principal objective in the planning of economic development.

Article 7

1. 1. All practicable measures shall be taken in the planning of economic development to harmonise such development with the healthy evolution of the communities concerned.
2. 2. In particular, efforts shall be made to avoid the disruption of family life and of traditional social units, especially by
   • (a) close study of the causes and effects of migratory movements and appropriate action where necessary;
   • (b) the promotion of town and village planning in areas where economic needs result in the concentration of population;
   • (c) the prevention and elimination of congestion in urban areas;
   • (d) the improvement of living conditions in rural areas and the establishment of suitable industries in rural areas where adequate manpower is available.

Article 8

The measures to be considered by the competent authorities for the promotion of productive capacity and the improvement of standards of living of agricultural producers shall include:

• (a) the elimination to the fullest practicable extent of the causes of chronic indebtedness;
• (b) the control of the alienation of...