Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The closing workshop of the EU-funded project ‘Support to trading partners including GSP+ beneficiary countries to effectively implement ILS and comply with reporting obligations – Mongolia’ was held today at Blue Sky Hotel, Ulaanbaatar. The workshop participants discussed about their collective contributions to improving the working conditions and fundamental labour rights in small and medium enterprises and the project’s benefits to their work and what to take to future initiatives.

In implementing the project, the International Labour Organization partnered with National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia (NHRCM), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Authority for Family, Child and Youth Development, General Agency for Specialized Agency, Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU), Mongolian Employers’ Federation, and Mongolian Bar Association, and the affiliates of these organizations.

The NHRCM’s Study on Labour Rights in Mongolia revealing incidences of unacceptable forms of work in Mongolian small and medium enterprises. Further to the study, the CMTU initiated the Youth Rights at Work Network which has been active in educating young workers about labour rights.

“Mongolia has underutilized its GSP benefits. By effectively implementing human rights and fundamental labour rights, Mongolia could enhance its capacity to expand its export potentials, as well as achieving decent work,” stated Mr. Marco Ferri, Minister Counsellor of the EU Delegation to Mongolia.

The Mongolian Bar Association established an online legal aid platform targeting young workers. Many accomplishments have been made. The challenge before us is to sustain them into the future, highlighted Ms. Baasanjav from MBA.

Mr. Ganbaatar of the Mongolian Employers’ Federation stated in the closing of the workshop “Thanks to the action of the project partners, we have now recognized the benefits of the EU’s GSP programme. We will further refine the Self-Assessment Toolkit and explore strategies to help businesses improve their labour compliance.”

“The project has directed our attention to our economic and social potentials and worked with us to develop tools and services. In CMTU we carried out an extensive assessment and consultations with our members. Many operated in the informal economy. We have developed an action plan to improve the labour rights and situations of workers in the informal economy. Achieving these goals needs a collective effort. CMTU will seek to expand its cooperation with other organizations.” stated Mr. Amgalanbaatar of CMTU.

The project is part of the European Union’s initiative to strengthen the capacities of the beneficiary countries of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preference (GSP), including Mongolia, to eradicate poverty and create jobs through an increase national export revenue and effectively implement international human rights, governance and environmental conventions including ILO’s eight fundamental conventions.