“Free, independent, strong and representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, with government trust, commitment and respect for the autonomy of social partners associations are key conditions for effective social dialogue in football.” speak Guy Ryder, head of the International Labor Organization (ILO), at the signing ceremony at agency headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Standing Solidarity
The agreement to create a new international bargaining framework between the World Football Leagues Forum (WLF) – representing 44 national professional football federations comprising approximately 1,100 clubs – and FIFPRO, the global players’ federation – representing more than 60,000 players Professional football is staffed in the international soccer industry, through its 66 national player federations in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
Employer and employee representatives have signed a Global Labor Agreement (GLA) for professional football players (this sport is known as football in the United States), agreeing to be responsible for greater responsibility in finding collective solutions to the challenges facing the industry.
The treaty recognizes that generally agreed standards will improve industrial relations in the professional game, and improve the viability and growth of the multi-billion dollar sport.
Set ground rules
The agreement will provide a platform to discuss rules that protect the health and safety of players along with a commitment to improve representation and participation in domestic leagues, clubs and competitions. members and their player unions.
Moreover, it recognizes the need for more representation and consideration for women’s football – covers matters related to domestic, club and player competitions.
Negotiations may also include issues such as employment standards, trauma management, measures to address discrimination and racism – including on social media – and forms of abuse other uses.
Under the GLA, the ILO may be required to provide expert advice in areas in which the ILO has expertise, including the implementation of the agreement.
“Football has the power to inspire and unite people of all nations and social classes, regardless of gender or ethnicity”, the ILO Director advocates, adding that footballers “should be protected by fundamental principles and rights in the workplace. “
More about the deal
The GLA follows the fundamental principles and rights at work set forth by the ILO in 1998 Declaration on fundamental principles and rights at workwas revised in 2022.
It is also consistent with the ILO Consensus Points Global dialogue forum on doing the right thing in the world of sport (In 2020).
Specific references are also made to ILO Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, 1948 (No. 87) and ILO Convention on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining, 1949 (No. 98) .
