International Labor Organization – Meeting between Franck Riester and Guy Ryder (video conference, 30 March 2021)

Franck Riester, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, spoke with Guy Ryder, Director General of the International Labor Organization (ILO), on March 30.

This meeting comes at a time when France has renewed its partnership with the ILO for the period 2020-2024.

The Minister reaffirmed France’s support for the ILO and its missions. Mr. Riester and Mr. Ryder discussed the role played by trade policy in promoting and ensuring respect for ILO norms and conventions, as well as the need to strengthen the social component of sustainable development through negotiations on trade and investment. They discussed the leverage available to France, the EU and the international community to advance the causes of the fight against forced labor and child labor, social protection for all, gender equality and a fair ecological transition.

He thanked the ILO for its efforts in Africa and mentioned programs of interest to strengthen social rights on the African continent.