Labour should not be treated as commodity and the peace could only be established, if it is based on social justice. Describe the fundamental principles and measures to attain peace, which were adopted during the peak of

Edward Phelan, who took over the International Labour Organisation (ILO) leadership, had played an important role during the Philadelphia meeting held in the peak of Second World War. The meeting saw the important adoption of the Charter of Philadelphia, which was adopted on 10th May, 1944. It encompasses the aims and objectives of the ILO, and the principles upon which its policies should be made. The declaration is divided into five parts. Part 1 It talks about the fundamental principles upon which the organisation is based, namely labour is not a commodity; freedom of expression and of association are essential to sustained progress; poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere; the war against want requires to be carried on with unrelenting vigour within each nation, and by continuous and concerted international effort in which the representatives of workers and employers, enjoying equal status with those of governments, join with them in free discussion and democratic decision with a view to the promotion of the common welfare. Part 2 This part reaffirms that, lasting peace could only be established if it is based on social justice. The conference confirmed that all human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material wellbeing and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity: the attainment of the conditions in which this shall be possible must constitute the central aim of national and international policy; all national and international policies and measures, in particular those of an economic and financial character, should be judged in this light and accepted only in so far as they may be held to promote and not to hinder the achievement of this fundamental objective; it is a responsibility of the International Labour Organization to examine and consider all international economic and financial policies and measures in the light of this fundamental objective; in discharging the tasks entrusted to it the International Labour Organization, having consider all economic and financial factors, may include in its decisions and recommendations any provisions which it considers appropriate. Part 3 It talks about requirements that need to be addressed by all member nations, believing them to be the solemn obligation of the ILO. Part 4 It talks about how better utilization of resources is primary for achieving the objectives set by the declaration. Part 5 This part ensures that principles included in the declaration are to be applicable to all the people. The manner of application of these principles, are to be dependent upon socio-political development of the people.