The Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) urges all United Nations (UN) agencies to limit interactions and avoid any real or perceived partnership with the tobacco industry, in accordance with a recommendation from the UN Interagency Taskforce (UNIATF) and Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC). This call to action aims to ensure tobacco control efforts are protected from undue influence by any form of vested interest.
The International Labour Organization (ILO), one of the last UN agencies to follow the UNIATF recommendation, still accepts money from the tobacco industry for its projects to end child labour in the tobacco growing sector.
- The FCA supports efforts to shield the ILO and all UN agencies from tobacco industry interference by ending any real or perceived sponsorship from the industry.
- The FCA calls on the ILO Governing Body to embrace ILO document GB.332/POL/5, “An integrated ILO strategy to address decent work deficits in the tobacco sector.” The integrated strategy proposes that ILO no longer rely on tobacco industry funds and suggests the use of regular budget funds upon the expiry of tobacco industry funded projects in 2018. In addition, the strategy encourages partnerships with other United Nations agencies and international development banks, notably the World Bank.
RESOURCES
- Read the FCA policy paper on ending the ILO – tobacco industry cooperation (available in English, French, Spanish)
- Read the letter to the ILO Governing Body written by a global coalition of public health and sustainable development stakeholders, to call for an end to the ILO – tobacco industry cooperation.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
- Ahead of the next meeting of the ILO Governing Body, add your voice to our global coalition to call for an end to ILO – tobacco industry cooperation. There are a variety of ways you can get involved. Stay tuned!
MEDIA COVERAGE
- ILO Fails to Cut Ties with Tobacco Industry – Yet Again
- ILO postpones decision on tobacco industry cooperation
- ILO chief wants to cut ties with big tobacco. Will the governing body heed the call?
- Money or Mission? The Fight about Big Tobacco’s Philanthropy
- ILO to address Big Tobacco conflict of interest
- Pourquoi l’OIT détruit-elle ce que l’OMS essaye de construire
- Time to ban the wolves in sheep’s clothing
