“The ILO and the Argentine dictatorship, 1976-1983”

VICTORIA BASUALDO

ILO Histories. Essays on the International Labour Organization and Its Impact on the World During the Twentieth Century

Peter Lang

Lugar: Bern/Berlin/Bruselas/Frankfurt/New York/Oxford/Viena; Año: 2010; p. 401 - 423

This article focuses on the relationship between the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Argentine dictatorship, from 1976 to 1983. After a brief characterization of the military dictatorship and its impact on labor, it analyzes the evolution of the relationship between the ILO and the dictatorship, paying special attention to the period between 1976 and 1979, which was the most critical in terms of violations of human and trade-union rights. In particular, it concentrates on two main aspects: Argentine representation and action at the ILO yearly conferences, and the analysis of the evolution of cases submitted against Argentina at the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, concerning violation of labor rights. In its closing, the article ponders the contributions and shortages of the ILO, considering the Argentine case as a useful example to examine the potential and limitations of the actions of international organizations with respect to dictatorial governments.