PALACE OF NATIONS; DELEGATES ARRIVING; VARIOUS DELEGATES; MEETING OPENS.




Initials GS/V/RM/SGM



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Background: THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION OPENED ITS 52ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN GENEVA IN SWITZERLAND TODAY. AMONG THE MAJOR SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED ARE HUMAN RIGHTS, AGRICULTURE WORKING CONDITIONS AND SICKNESS INSURANCE COVERAGE.

SOME SUBJECTS ON THE AGENDA OF THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE LIVING AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF TENANTS, SHARE-CROPPERS AND SIMILAR CATEGORIES OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, LABOUR INSPECTION IN AGRICULTURE AND THE REVISION OF CONVENTIONS CONCERNING SICKNESS INSURANCE.

THE CONFERENCE IS ALSO TO DISCUSS A SPECIAL REPORT ON THE POLICY OF APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA. A REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS, BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE, MR. DAVID A. MORSE, WILL SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR THE CONFERENCE'S GENERAL DEBATE.

THE APARTHEID REPORT SAYS THAT JOB TRAINING IN SOUTH AFRICA IS SUB-STANDARD AND NOTES A CONTINUING TIGHTENING OF THE POLICY IN THE COUNTRY WITHIN THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

THERE ARE 118 MEMBER COUNTRIES IN THE I.L.O. AND EACH IS REPRESENTED BY FOUR DELEGATES. HE CONFERENCE WAS OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY, PROFESSOR ROBERTO AGO, OF ITALY.