The
purpose and special character of this conference were explained in a
telegram and letter sent by the ILO Acting Director to the governments of
the Member States: “ […] Conference will not have normal constitutional
powers and adoption international labour
conventions not contemplated but meeting will afford opportunity survey
world social developments this critical time and present and future responsibilities of Organisation […]” (see
Conference of the International Labour Organisation, 1941, New York and Washington, D.C., Record of Proceedings, p. vi - Introduction).
The International Labour Conference adopted a resolution proclaiming that
“the victory of the free peoples in the war against totalitarian aggression
is an indispensable condition of the attainment of the ideals of the
International Labour Organisation” (see
International Labour Review, Vol. XLV, No. 1, 1942, p. 14). Another resolution endorsed the economic and social provisions of the Atlantic Charter. Thus,
in 1941 ILO was already thinking about the measures to be taken in respect
of the problems that would arise after the war.
