Mongolia
The overall objective of the project is to improve labour relations and working conditions in alignment with sustainable development objectives.
Mongolia has ratified nine out of ten ILO Fundamental Conventions, including the recently elevated Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155). The project aims to promote decent work and sustain Mongolia’s eligibility as a beneficiary of the European Union Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). It supports the Government and social partners in applying and reporting on ratified conventions to the ILO supervisory bodies. Additionally, the project fosters and facilitates ongoing dialogue among tripartite partners to promote and ratify the remaining ILO Fundamental Convention, specifically the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention 187 (2006).
Objectives
The project aims to improve the application of and reporting on the ILO Fundamental Conventions in Mongolia through improved labour relations and working conditions.
Achievements
Primarily, the Government was supported to enhance reporting capacity while harmonizing national legislation with ratified ILO Conventions. In this regard, the project provided technical support to the National Tripartite Subcommittee on the Application of International Labour Standards to address comments from the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR). This collaboration facilitated the preparation of comprehensive reports to the ILO.
Following the approval of Mongolia’s new Labour Law in 2021, support was provided for the development of regulations crucial for its effective enforcement. Employing innovative communication strategies, the project produced 18 short videos and 10 comics to disseminate information about key provisions of the Labour Law. This initiative significantly enhanced public understanding and engagement via targeted social media campaigns and collaborations with the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel. These communication materials are widely used by the government, social partners, and NGOs for broader outreach.
Furthermore, the project empowered legal professionals by augmenting their knowledge and skills to enable them to utilise international labour standards in their practice. They benefited from tailored advanced training sessions conducted in collaboration with the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) and the Mongolian Bar Association.
Adopting a comprehensive approach, the project actively addressed workplace challenges such as violence, harassment, and child labour, while advocating for occupational safety and health. Notably, it spearheaded the development of policies, training modules, and the dissemination of critical resources like the ILO’ practical guide for employers on Violence and Harrassment at Work.
Aligned with its objectives, the project strategically coordinated with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) to organize a national policy discussion and comprehensive child labour training on the World Day Against Child Labour. Additionally, the project’s support to the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia (NHRCM) in conducting a Child Labour Qualitative Study yielded invaluable insights, directly informing essential policy updates including revisions to the list of prohibited jobs for minors and the formulation of light work conditions for children.
The project also led a robust social media campaign during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Collaborating effectively with government bodies, UN agencies, and civil society organizations, the campaign significantly raised awareness among the public including young women and girls regarding gender-based violence and harassment in professional settings, while also promoting the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190). This campaign had a significant impact and reached over 620,570 individuals through targeted social media channels.
Activities
In Mongolia, the project prioritises the following:
- Supporting the country in implementing ratified ILO Fundamental Conventions.
- Supporting legal reform in the country to enhance the alignment of national law with ILO Fundamental Conventions.
- Strengthening the capacities of institutions and social partners on international labour standards and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
- Strengthening the capacity of the country to meet its reporting obligations.
Resources
News / Mongolia
“Promoting Workplace Safety: The ‘Safety at Work, Health Month Campaign’ Photo Challenge”
May 15, 2023
News / Mongolia
Influential voices of Mongolia call for zero tolerance for violence and harassment at work
January 31, 2023
News / Mongolia
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
January 1, 2023
News / Mongolia
Tripartite partners use animation to promote the revised Labour Law of Mongolia
December 20, 2022
Fundamental Conventions and selected international labour standards and protocols ratified
Ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190)
Advocating for the ratification of ILO Convention No. 190 (C190) by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
The National Tripartite Agreement for 2023-2025 of the Labour and Social Partnership indicated that the social partners would study the ratification of C190. Several initiatives were undertaken by the project to support the ratification process.
Action
- Organized and supported the training of five representatives, including government and social partners, the National Human Rights Commission, and the National Committee for Gender Equality (NCGE) on C190 (2022)
- Conducted a social media campaign during the campaign on ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ with a particular focus on young individuals in the workplace in 2022 and 2023
- Provided technical support to to employers' organizations on C190
Results
- Bolstered the understanding of participants on the prevention and management of violence and harassment at work
- Capacitated the NCGE to initiate "Gender-Sensitive Workplace" training in collaboration with employers' organizations
- Strengthened understanding and awareness of young women and girls on gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace and C190
- The social media campaign had significant impact and reached 620,570 people on social media via ILO and and the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia(NHRCM) channels
- The Mongolian Employers’ Federation (MONEF) developed a series of knowledge products on ILO Convention No.190, such as translating the ILO practical guide for employers on violence and harassment and uploading information on the website’s Helpdesk
The application of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in law and practice
Supporting the Government to raise awareness on and promote the elimination of child labour
Mongolia has ratified the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) and the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138). In light of this, Mongolia revised the list of jobs prohibited for minors and approved light work conditions for children in 2022 with the support of the project.
Action
- Launch of the Child Labour Qualitative Study
- Supported the development of a child labour training module by the Mongolian National University of Education (MNUE)
- Organized a National Conference on Child Labour in 2023
Results
- Enhanced awareness on Convention 182 and the current state of child labour in Mongolia
- The findings of the study informed two important policy updates:
- 1. The revised list of jobs prohibited for minors in 2022
- 2. The development of light work conditions for children
- Strengthened the awareness of students and universities specializing in social work on child labour in Mongolia and on Convention 182
- Policy recommendations were developed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection at the national conference
Supporting the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981(No. 155)
In addition to promoting the ratification of ILO Convention 182, the project supports the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) to revise the Law on Occupational Safety and Health.
Action
- Co-organized a Photo Challenge for the "Safety at Work, Health Month Campaign," with the MLSP, and the National Committee for Occupational Safety and Health
Results
- Raised the awareness of more than 1,600 participants from over 100 organizations on occupational safety and health in high-risk sectors like mining, construction, energy, and manufacturing
Constituents actively participate in national processes that address gaps between national law and practice and targeted conventions
Enhancing the alignment of national labour laws with International Labour Standards (ILS)
Supporting the enactment of rules to implement the new Labour Law
On 2 July 2021, the State Great Khural (Parliament of Mongolia) endorsed a new Labour Law, which entered into force on 1 January 2022. Following this, Mongolia approved five new policies on labour dispute resolution to enhance the effectiveness of the mechanism. The project provided technical support to the constituents to improve the labour dispute resolution mechanism following the commencement of the new law.
Action
- Provided technical support to the constituents on the implementation of the new Labour Law
- Developed a training manual on labour dispute resolution and conducted capacity-building training
- Supported the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to conduct a series of capacity development trainings for 300 labour dispute practitioners from the General Agency for Labour and Social Welfare Service at the enterprise level, as well as for Tripartite Committees at district and aimag (province) levels
Results
- Five new regulations on labour disputes were developed and are in force
Supporting initiatives to increase awareness and facilitate the implementation of the new Labour Law
The project facilitated and supported training and awareness-raising campaigns on the new labour law to capacitate members of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the social partners.
Action
- Organization of trainings to enhance awareness and support the implementation of the new Labour Law
- Provided advanced training to 36 law professionals on international labour standards in collaboration with ITCILO and the Mongolian Bar Association
- Developed knowledge products to increase public awareness and understanding of the new Labour Law
- 1. 18 short videos were developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection highlighting key provisions of the new Labour Law
- 2. 10 comics were produced in collaboration with the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel on Labour Law, specifically targeting the youth audience
Results
- Enhanced the knowledge of 1,000 civil servants and representatives of employers and workers in 21 provinces and 9 districts of Ulaanbaatar city on the new labour law, its concepts, principles, and new provisions, compared with the previous law of 1999
- Enabled 36 legal professionals to apply international labour standards in their practice
- Enhanced public awareness and understanding of certain key aspects of the new labour legislation
Supported the Government in the initiative to eliminate child labour
Development and launch of a child labour qualitative study
Mongolia has taken concrete measures towards the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and closing the gaps in the implementation of the principles of the child labour conventions. Various activities were implemented, including research, policy discussions, training workshops, and the development of a child labour training module. These efforts aimed to enhance awareness and capacity building in Mongolia on child labour issues.
Action
- A child labour qualitative study was developed and launched in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia in 2022
- The Mongolian National University of Education (MNUE) was supported to develop a child labour training module, incorporating technical comments from the ILO and the recommendations from the child labour qualitative survey in 2023
Results
- The findings of the study informed two important policy updates: the revised list of jobs prohibited for minors in 2022 and the development of light work conditions for children
- Additionally, this module will serve as a reference document for students and universities specializing in the field of social work
Enhanced constituents' capacity on International Labour Standards and Responsible Business Conduct
Building the capacity of constituents on Responsible Business Conduct
Support to strengthen the awareness of Mongolian tripartite constituents on Responsible Business and the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration)
In 2021, the Mongolian Employers’ Federation (MONEF) developed HELPDESK, which is a new panel/section on the main webpage of the MONEF that aims to inform businesses and potential investors about international labour standards and the newly adopted Labour Law.
Action
- Organization of training on International Labour Standards and Responsible Business Conduct: The Labour Dimension of Human Rights Due Diligence, in Turin Italy, in November 2023
Results
- Capacitated tripartite constituents, including members of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions, the Mongolian Employers’ Federation, and the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on RBC
Tripartite constituents effectively fulfil their respective roles in reporting to the ILO supervisory bodies
The drafting and validation of country reports on international labour instruments
Supporting the National Tripartite Subcommittee to draft reports on ratified conventions
The tripartite sub-committee on the application of international labour standards was established and supported in the reporting on ratified conventions. This ensured the timely submission of good-quality, comprehensive reports to the ILO supervisory bodies with no reports outstanding.
Action
- Provided technical support to the government on the submission of the reports to the supervisory bodies
- Organized workshops to enhance the reporting capacity of the Government
Results
- Built the capacity of the Government to meet its reporting obligations
Supporting the Government and the social partners to effectively contribute to the reporting procedure
In addition to collaborating with the National Tripartite Subcommittee, the project strengthened the awareness of the Government and social partners on the best practices in international labour standards reporting, thereby capacitating them.
Action
- Translated the General Survey (2000) on the Tripartite Consultation Convention No.144 and the Tripartite Consultation Recommendation No.152 into Mongolian in 2022
- Organized workshops and trainings
Results
- Enhanced the capacity of the government and social partners to meet their reporting obligations