The 75th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Philadelphia, which is annexed to the ILO's Constitution commenced in April 1994. India is a founder member of the ILO and has had a very close association with it. Since 1922 the Government of India has been holding a permanent non-elective seat on the Governing Body, the principal executive organ of the ILO, by virtue of its being one of the ten countries of "chief industrial importance". Currently, both the employers and workers' representatives from India are members of the Governing Body.

The principal means of action of the ILO is the setting of International Labour Standards in the form of the Conventions and Recommendations. These standards have made valuable contribution in promoting development with social justice. India has ratified 36 out of the 174 ILO Conventions adopted so far.

ILO and India have cooperated in wide ranging areas, particularly in the fields of man­ power and economic development, vocational training, social security, occupational safety and health, worker's education, women and child labour etc. ILO has also been associated with the establishment and development of various institutions and programmes in India. The tripartite character of ILO which has ensured permanency of the international institution, has greatly influenced the Indian tripartite system in formulating labour policies and legislation.

ILO's interest in child labour problems is well known. It has adopted a number of Conventions and Recommendations in this regard some of which have been ratified by India. ILO is playing a vital role in two major projects viz. Child labour Action and Support Programme (CLASP) and International Programmeon Elimination of child Lab9ur (IPEC) which are currently being implemented in India.

The Department of Posts is privileged to issue a commemorative postage stamp on the 75th Anniversary of the ILO. The design of the stamp depicts the spirit of triparitism and India's Cooperation over the years since the inception.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India