The International Labor Organization has a new president. The former Togolese Prime Minister has just been elected to head this institution, a position targeted by the former French Minister of Labour, Muriel Pénicaud.
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The election of Gilbert Houngbo marks a turning point in the history ofInternational Labor Organization (ILO). Created in 1919 in the aftermath of the First World War, this organization has always been led by Europeans or North Americans, with the exception of a Chilean in the 2000s.
Gilbert Houngbo succeeds former British trade unionist Guy Ryder, who has been in office for ten years. Five candidates were in the running and the main competitor was Muriel Pénicaud who did not obtain the necessary votes from the 56 representatives of governments, workers and employers participating in the vote. 30 votes went to Gilbert Houngbo, 23 to Muriel Pénicaud.
The International Labor Organization is a body that depends on the UN. Its mission is to promote labor law, encourage the creation of decent jobs, develop social protection and strengthen social dialogue at the international level.
Gilbert Houngbo is the first African to head this institution. With this victory, the ILO will become the third major organization based in Geneva to be led by an African. This is already the case with the World Health Organization and the WTO (the World Trade Organization). Gilbert Houngbo represents a continent in the making. He will have the heavy task of having the organization’s standards adopted by a changing labor market, particularly with new technologies. The social agenda will become increasingly important in all countries.
Aged 61, the former Togolese Prime Minister does not lack experience and his election is a very strong symbol. He will take office next October.