International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is one of the oldest and most respected international institutions. It is the only tripartite agency of the United Nations which brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to set labour standards. The ILOs roots lie in the Treaty of Versailles, which called for the establishment of an International Labour Organization in 1919.
The ILO works to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen negotiations and collective bargaining. ILO is the only UN institution that has a tripartite structure, which includes representatives from governments, employers and workers’ organizations. This unique structure allows ILO to have a balanced representation of the different interests which makes it particularly suitable for conducting social dialogue.
The ILOs main objectives are to improve the working and living conditions of people around the world. It does this through the adoption and implementation of international labor standards, which are internationally recognized basic principles and rights at work. These standards are legally binding, and the ILO’s role is to assist governments, employers and workers in promoting, following and applying the standards.
The ILO’s main focus is in areas such as: eliminating child labor, abolishing forced labor; ensuring basic freedom of association and collective bargaining; enhancing gender equity in the workplace; developing labor standards; and promoting social protection. It also promotes the principle of non-discrimination in access to, and the exercise of, employment, guaranteeing equal pay and the right to form and join trade unions.
The ILO works through a number of programmes and activities. It creates international labor standards, which are legally binding and are adopted by governments, employers and workers’ organizations. These standards set out basic principles and rights that should be observed in all workplaces. The ILO also collects and disseminates data and information on labor standards, labor law and labor markets; provides technical assistance and advice to governments and employers’ organizations; and carries out capacity-building and skills development.
The ILO also provides support to government and trade union organizations in building better and stronger labor union organizations, which help workers to organize and bargain collectively. Additionally, the ILO has established different mechanisms, such as the Committee on the Application of Standards and the International Labour Conference, to monitor the implementation of international labor standards.
Throughout its long history, the ILO has done much to improve the lives of millions of workers around the world. It has been at the forefront of the fight to eliminate child labor, and has successfully worked to reduce the prevalence of exploitative and abusive labor practices. It has also helped to develop labor standards that aim to protect the rights of all workers, regardless of gender and occupation.
With more than 100 years of experience and expertise, the ILO continues to be an invaluable voice for the rights of working people and an necessary institution for advocating for labor standards and protecting the rights of working people worldwide.
