Introduction to the ILO

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION

GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE ILOON THE ILO

GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE ILOON THE ILO

WELCOMEWELCOMETOTO

MAIN MENUMAIN MENUMAIN MENUMAIN MENU

ILOILO

IntroductionIntroduction

StructureStructure

MandateMandate

What it is and what it doesWhat it is and what it does

HistoryHistory

Standards-related activitiesStandards-related activities

ObjectivesObjectives

Member StatesMember States

Field structureField structure

MandateMandateMandateMandate The International Labour The International Labour

Organization (ILO) has the Organization (ILO) has the following following mission:mission:

To promote opportunities To promote opportunities for men and women to for men and women to obtain obtain decent decent andand productive workproductive work, in , in conditions of freedom, conditions of freedom, equity, security and human equity, security and human dignity, which is summed up dignity, which is summed up by the expression “by the expression “Decent Decent work as a global goalwork as a global goal”.”.

What the ILO is and what What the ILO is and what it doesit does

What the ILO is and what What the ILO is and what it doesit does

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations system specialized agency of the United Nations system which seeks the promotion of social justice and which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. internationally recognized human and labour rights.

The ILO formulates The ILO formulates international labour standardsinternational labour standards. . These standards take the form of Conventions and These standards take the form of Conventions and Recommendations, which set minimum standards in Recommendations, which set minimum standards in the field of fundamental labour rights: freedom of the field of fundamental labour rights: freedom of association, the right to organize, the right to association, the right to organize, the right to collective bargaining, the abolition of forced labour, collective bargaining, the abolition of forced labour, equality of opportunity and treatment, as well as equality of opportunity and treatment, as well as other standards addressing conditions spanning other standards addressing conditions spanning across the entire spectrum of work-related issues. across the entire spectrum of work-related issues.

What the ILO is and what it What the ILO is and what it doesdoes

What the ILO is and what it What the ILO is and what it doesdoes

The ILO provides technical assistance, The ILO provides technical assistance, mainly in the following fields:mainly in the following fields:

• • vocational training and vocational vocational training and vocational rehabilitation;rehabilitation;• employment policy;• employment policy;• labour administration;• labour administration;• labour law and industrial relations;• labour law and industrial relations;• conditions of work;• conditions of work;• management development;• management development;• cooperatives;• cooperatives;• social security;• social security;• labour statistics, and occupational • labour statistics, and occupational safety & health.safety & health.

HISTORYHISTORY

How the ILO came into beingHow the ILO came into being

HISTORYHISTORY

How the ILO came into beingHow the ILO came into being

The ILO was created in The ILO was created in response to the response to the consciousness that consciousness that followed the First World followed the First World War at the Peace War at the Peace Conference, which Conference, which convened first in Paris convened first in Paris and then in Versailles. and then in Versailles. The ILO is the only major The ILO is the only major surviving outcome of the surviving outcome of the Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles..

The International Labour Organization (ILO) was The International Labour Organization (ILO) was founded, along with the League of Nations, by the founded, along with the League of Nations, by the Treaty of Versailles on 11 April 1919.Treaty of Versailles on 11 April 1919.

The ILO was also based on political and The ILO was also based on political and economic considerations. economic considerations.

These ideas were reflected in the These ideas were reflected in the ILO Constitution..

HISTORYHISTORYHow the ILO came into beingHow the ILO came into being

HISTORYHISTORYHow the ILO came into beingHow the ILO came into being

The ILO was founded primarily The ILO was founded primarily in response to humanitarian in response to humanitarian concern over the condition of concern over the condition of workers who were being workers who were being exploited with no consideration exploited with no consideration for their health, their family for their health, their family lives or their professional and lives or their professional and social advancement.social advancement.

The ILO Constitution The ILO Constitution The ILO Constitution The ILO Constitution

““WHEREAS WHEREAS UNIVERSAL UNIVERSAL AND LASTING AND LASTING PEACE CAN BE PEACE CAN BE ESTABLISHED ESTABLISHED ONLY IF IT IS ONLY IF IT IS BASED UPON BASED UPON SOCIAL SOCIAL JUSTICE…”JUSTICE…”

Preamble Preamble Full text of the Constitution Full text of the Constitution here

Brief description of the Brief description of the ILOILO

Brief description of the Brief description of the ILOILO

Towards the end of the Second World War, Towards the end of the Second World War, the ILO adopted the the ILO adopted the Declaration of Philadelphia to reflect its to reflect its philosophy and fundamental principles, as philosophy and fundamental principles, as well as to broaden its aims and purposes. The well as to broaden its aims and purposes. The Declaration was adopted by the ILO in 1944 Declaration was adopted by the ILO in 1944 and is the equivalent of what an organization and is the equivalent of what an organization commonly refers to as its commonly refers to as its missionmission. .

In 1946, the ILO became the first specialized In 1946, the ILO became the first specialized agency associated with the newly formed agency associated with the newly formed United Nations, following the dissolution United Nations, following the dissolution of the League of Nationsof the League of Nations. .

On its 50th anniversary in 1969, the ILO was On its 50th anniversary in 1969, the ILO was awarded the awarded the Nobel Peace Prize..

Declaration of PhiladelphDeclaration of Philadelphia (1944)ia (1944)Declaration of PhiladelphDeclaration of Philadelphia (1944)ia (1944)““The General Conference of the The General Conference of the

International Labour International Labour Organisation, meeting in its Organisation, meeting in its Twenty-sixth Session in Twenty-sixth Session in Philadelphia, hereby adopts, Philadelphia, hereby adopts, this tenth day of May in the year this tenth day of May in the year nineteen hundred and forty-nineteen hundred and forty-four, the present Declaration of four, the present Declaration of the aims and purposes of the the aims and purposes of the International Labour International Labour Organisation and of the Organisation and of the principles which should inspire principles which should inspire the policy of its Members.the policy of its Members.

The Conference reaffirms the The Conference reaffirms the fundamental principles on fundamental principles on which the Organisation is based which the Organisation is based and, in particular, that: and, in particular, that:

labour is not a labour is not a commodity;commodity;

freedom of freedom of expression and of expression and of association are association are essential to sustained essential to sustained progress;progress;

poverty anywhere poverty anywhere constitutes a danger constitutes a danger to prosperity to prosperity everywhere;everywhere;

the war against want the war against want requires to be carried requires to be carried on with unrelenting on with unrelenting vigour within each vigour within each nation…with a view nation…with a view to the promotion of to the promotion of the common welfare.”the common welfare.”

ILOILOILOILO

ComprisesComprisesComprisesComprises

STRUCTURESTRUCTUREHow the ILO worksHow the ILO worksSTRUCTURESTRUCTURE

How the ILO worksHow the ILO works

International LabourConference International LabourConference

Governing BodyGoverning Body

International Labour Office International Labour Office

International Labour International Labour Conference (ILC) Conference (ILC)

International Labour International Labour Conference (ILC) Conference (ILC) The ILC meets in June every year, in Geneva, and is the highest The ILC meets in June every year, in Geneva, and is the highest

authority of the ILO. It sets minimum international labour authority of the ILO. It sets minimum international labour standards and defines the broad policies of the Organization. standards and defines the broad policies of the Organization. Every two years, the Conference adopts the ILO’s biennial work Every two years, the Conference adopts the ILO’s biennial work programme and budget, which is financed by programme and budget, which is financed by member Statesmember States. .

The ILC also provides an international forum for the discussion The ILC also provides an international forum for the discussion of world labour and social problems. of world labour and social problems.

The ILC elects the Governing Body of the ILO. The ILC elects the Governing Body of the ILO.

International Labour International Labour Conference Conference

Each member State has Each member State has fourfour representatives representatives

One Worker Worker representativerepresentative

TwoTwo Government Government

representativerepresentativess

OneOne Employer Employer representativerepresentative

List of ILO Member List of ILO Member StatesStates

List of ILO Member List of ILO Member StatesStatesAfghanistan

AlbaniaAlgeriaAngolaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCongoCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of the Congo DenmarkDjibouti

DominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIran, Islamic Republic of IraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Republic of KuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People’s Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanon

LesothoLiberiaLibyan Arab JamahiriyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMoldova, Republic of MongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorwayOmanPakistanPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint Lucia Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan Marino

Sao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyrian Arab RepublicTajikistanTanzania, United Republic of ThailandThe former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaTimor-LesteTogoTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States UruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet NamYemenZambiaZimbabwe

Governing Body Governing Body Governing Body Governing Body The Governing Body is the executive council of the ILO which The Governing Body is the executive council of the ILO which

establishes the strategic objectives and policies. The establishes the strategic objectives and policies. The Governing Body meets three times a year in Geneva and Governing Body meets three times a year in Geneva and makes decisions on ILO policy and establishes the programme makes decisions on ILO policy and establishes the programme and budget, which it subsequently submits to the Conference and budget, which it subsequently submits to the Conference for adoption. The Governing Body also elects the Director-for adoption. The Governing Body also elects the Director-General for a five-year renewable term.General for a five-year renewable term.

The ten States of chief industrial importance have permanent The ten States of chief industrial importance have permanent seats on the Governing Body, while the other members are seats on the Governing Body, while the other members are elected at the Conference every three years from elected at the Conference every three years from representatives of the other member countries, taking into representatives of the other member countries, taking into account geographical distribution. Employers and workers account geographical distribution. Employers and workers elect their own representatives independently of one another.elect their own representatives independently of one another.

Governing BodyGoverning Body

14 Worker 14 Worker representatirepresentati

vesves

28 28 Government Government representativrepresentativ

eses

14 14 Employer Employer

representatirepresentativesves

EmployersEmployersEmployersEmployers

Tripartite structure of Tripartite structure of the ILOthe ILO

Tripartite structure of Tripartite structure of the ILOthe ILO

The ILO has a The ILO has a tripartite structure tripartite structure unique in the unique in the United Nations United Nations system, in which system, in which employers’ and employers’ and workers’ workers’ representatives – representatives – the “social the “social partners” – have an partners” – have an equal voice with equal voice with those of those of governments in governments in shaping its policies shaping its policies and programmes.and programmes.

WorkersWorkersWorkersWorkers

GovernmentsGovernmentsGovernmentsGovernments

ILOILOILOILO

TripartismTripartismTripartismTripartismThe ILO’s tripartite The ILO’s tripartite mechanisms seek mechanisms seek to promote a to promote a climate of climate of understanding understanding between workers, between workers, employers and employers and governments. governments. Tripartism thus Tripartism thus emphasizes the emphasizes the concept of a “social concept of a “social partnership” partnership” between them, in between them, in the interests of the interests of every ILO member every ILO member State.State.

ACTRAVACTRAVThe mandate of the Bureau for The mandate of the Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) is to Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV) is to strengthen representative, strengthen representative, independent and democratic trade independent and democratic trade unions, to enable them to play their unions, to enable them to play their role effectively in protecting workers’ role effectively in protecting workers’ rights and interests and in providing rights and interests and in providing effective services to their members at effective services to their members at national and international levels.national and international levels.

ACTEMPACTEMPThe strengthening of employers’ The strengthening of employers’ organizations is a key element in organizations is a key element in consolidating the ILO’s principle of consolidating the ILO’s principle of tripartism. The activities carried out tripartism. The activities carried out with employers’ organizations, in with employers’ organizations, in addition to encouraging their addition to encouraging their participation in the ILO’s fields of participation in the ILO’s fields of action, contribute to enhancing the action, contribute to enhancing the environment in which enterprises are environment in which enterprises are developed. developed.

ILO SPHERE OF ILO SPHERE OF ACTIVITYACTIVITY

ILO SPHERE OF ILO SPHERE OF ACTIVITYACTIVITY

Wor

kers

Wor

kers

Wor

kers

Wor

kers

Em

ployers

Em

ployers

Em

ployers

Em

ployers

GovernmentsGovernmentsGovernmentsGovernments

ILOILOILOILO

DECENT WORKDECENT WORKDECENT WORKDECENT WORK

Social justiceSocial justiceSocial justiceSocial justice

TECHNICALTECHNICALCOOPERATIONCOOPERATION

TECHNICALTECHNICALCOOPERATIONCOOPERATION

STANDARDS-RELATEDSTANDARDS-RELATEDACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

STANDARDS-RELATEDSTANDARDS-RELATEDACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

RESEARCH – INFORMATION – MEETINGSRESEARCH – INFORMATION – MEETINGSRESEARCH – INFORMATION – MEETINGSRESEARCH – INFORMATION – MEETINGS

Subjects addressed by the ILO’s ILSSubjects addressed by the ILO’s ILSInternational labour standards respond to a growing number of needs and challenges experienced by workers and employers in the globalized economy. The following subjects are covered by international labour standards:

Wages Working time Occupational safety and health Social security Maternity protection Social policy Migrant workers Seafarers Fishers Dock workers Indigenous and tribal peoples Other specific categories of workers

STANDARDS-RELATED ACTIVITIESSTANDARDS-RELATED ACTIVITIESInternational labour standards (ILS)International labour standards (ILS) STANDARDS-RELATED ACTIVITIESSTANDARDS-RELATED ACTIVITIES

International labour standards (ILS)International labour standards (ILS)

Freedom of associationCollective bargaining Forced labour Child labour Equality of opportunity and treatment Tripartite consultation Labour administration Labour inspection Employment policy Employment promotion Vocational guidance and training Employment security

What are international labour What are international labour standards?standards?

What are international labour What are international labour standards?standards?

International labour standards are legal instruments drawn International labour standards are legal instruments drawn up by the ILO’s constituents (governments, employers and up by the ILO’s constituents (governments, employers and workers) which set out basic principles and rights at work.workers) which set out basic principles and rights at work.

In many cases, a In many cases, a ConventionConvention lays down the basic principles to lays down the basic principles to be implemented by ratifying countries, while a related be implemented by ratifying countries, while a related RecommendationRecommendation supplements the Convention by providing supplements the Convention by providing more detailed guidelines on its implementation.more detailed guidelines on its implementation.Binding Binding means mandatory as soon as a country has ratified a means mandatory as soon as a country has ratified a Convention and integrated it into national law.Convention and integrated it into national law.

CONVENTIONSCONVENTIONSThese are legally binding internationalThese are legally binding internationaltreaties that are subject to ratificationtreaties that are subject to ratification

by member States.by member States.

CONVENTIONSCONVENTIONSThese are legally binding internationalThese are legally binding internationaltreaties that are subject to ratificationtreaties that are subject to ratification

by member States.by member States.

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONSThese serve as non-binding guidelines.These serve as non-binding guidelines.

They can also be autonomous, namely notThey can also be autonomous, namely notlinked a Convention.linked a Convention.

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONSThese serve as non-binding guidelines.These serve as non-binding guidelines.

They can also be autonomous, namely notThey can also be autonomous, namely notlinked a Convention.linked a Convention.

ILS are divided into:ILS are divided into:

The ILO’s Governing Body has identified eight “fundamental” Conventions.

These principles are also covered by the ILO Declaration on FundamentalPrinciples and Rights at Work (1998).

The ILO’s fundamental The ILO’s fundamental

ConventionsConventions The ILO’s fundamental The ILO’s fundamental

ConventionsConventions

In 1995, the ILO launched a In 1995, the ILO launched a campaign for the universal campaign for the universal ratification of these eight ratification of these eight Conventions. Conventions.

There are currently over There are currently over 1,200 ratifications, 1,200 ratifications, representing 86% of the representing 86% of the possible number of possible number of ratifications.ratifications.

These cover subjects considered to be fundamental principles and rights at work:

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105)

Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111)

The ILO’s fundamental The ILO’s fundamental ConventionsConventions

The ILO’s fundamental The ILO’s fundamental ConventionsConventions

The ILO’s Governing Body has also designated another four Conventions as “priority” instruments, thereby encouraging member States to ratify them because of their importance for the functioning of the international labour standards system.

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Labour Inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969 (No. 129) Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122)

Priority Conventions Priority Conventions Priority Conventions Priority Conventions

Conventions, Recommendations, ratifications and much more can be Conventions, Recommendations, ratifications and much more can be found in the found in the ILOLEX database. The ILO publication database. The ILO publication The rules of the game: A brief introduction to international labour standards also contains relevant information.

How an international labour How an international labour standard is adoptedstandard is adopted

A problemA problemis identifiedis identified

A problemA problemis identifiedis identified

The Governing Body putsThe Governing Body putsthe subject on the agenda of thethe subject on the agenda of theInternational Labour Conference International Labour Conference

The Governing Body putsThe Governing Body putsthe subject on the agenda of thethe subject on the agenda of theInternational Labour Conference International Labour Conference

The Office prepares aThe Office prepares alaw and practice report withlaw and practice report with

a questionnaire on the contenta questionnaire on the contentof a possible new instrumentof a possible new instrument

The Office prepares aThe Office prepares alaw and practice report withlaw and practice report with

a questionnaire on the contenta questionnaire on the contentof a possible new instrumentof a possible new instrument

The report is sent toThe report is sent togovernments, employers andgovernments, employers andworkers for their commentsworkers for their comments


The Office analyzes theThe Office analyzes thecomments and preparescomments and prepares its proposed conclusions its proposed conclusions

The Office analyzes theThe Office analyzes thecomments and preparescomments and prepares its proposed conclusions its proposed conclusions

WWEEGG

First discussion of theFirst discussion of theproposed conclusions atproposed conclusions at

the Conferencethe Conference

The Office prepares a reportThe Office prepares a reportcontaining a summary of thecontaining a summary of thediscussion and the proposeddiscussion and the proposed

instrumentinstrument

The Office prepares a reportThe Office prepares a reportcontaining a summary of thecontaining a summary of thediscussion and the proposeddiscussion and the proposed




The Office prepares aThe Office prepares arevised draft of therevised draft of the


The Office prepares aThe Office prepares arevised draft of therevised draft of the


WWEEGG

Second discussion of theSecond discussion of theproposed instrument at theproposed instrument at the

ConferenceConference

The instrument is adopted byThe instrument is adopted bythe Conference with athe Conference with a

2/3-majority vote2/3-majority vote

The instrument is adopted byThe instrument is adopted bythe Conference with athe Conference with a

2/3-majority vote2/3-majority vote

Technical cooperationTechnical cooperationTechnical cooperationTechnical cooperation Since the early 1950s, the ILO has been providing technical Since the early 1950s, the ILO has been providing technical

assistance to countries on all continents and at all stages of assistance to countries on all continents and at all stages of economic development. economic development.

In the last decade, an average of some USIn the last decade, an average of some US$$130 million has been 130 million has been spent annually on technical cooperation projects. spent annually on technical cooperation projects.

These projects are implemented through close cooperation These projects are implemented through close cooperation between recipient countries, donors and the ILO.between recipient countries, donors and the ILO.

The overall purpose of ILO technical cooperation is the The overall purpose of ILO technical cooperation is the implementation of the Decent Work Agenda at the national level, implementation of the Decent Work Agenda at the national level, by assisting constituents in making this goal a reality for by assisting constituents in making this goal a reality for everyone. everyone.

In order to achieve this, the ILO has an extensive network of In order to achieve this, the ILO has an extensive network of offices throughout the world which provide technical guidance on offices throughout the world which provide technical guidance on policy issues and assistance in the design and implementation of policy issues and assistance in the design and implementation of development programmes.development programmes.

TECHNICAL COOPERATIONTECHNICAL COOPERATIONTECHNICAL COOPERATIONTECHNICAL COOPERATION

Technical cooperationTechnical cooperationTechnical cooperationTechnical cooperation These programmes currently focus on the areas covered by the These programmes currently focus on the areas covered by the

Organization’s four strategic objectives: the promotion of Organization’s four strategic objectives: the promotion of fundamental rights at work, the creation of decent employment fundamental rights at work, the creation of decent employment for men and women, the strengthening of social protection and for men and women, the strengthening of social protection and the promotion of tripartism and social dialogue.the promotion of tripartism and social dialogue.

Technical cooperation is one of the ILO’s chief means of action, Technical cooperation is one of the ILO’s chief means of action, a decisive instrument for the implementation of the principle of a decisive instrument for the implementation of the principle of decent work at the national policy level. Technical cooperation decent work at the national policy level. Technical cooperation activities involve technical and training advisory services based activities involve technical and training advisory services based on the specific needs and objectives of each country.on the specific needs and objectives of each country.

Technical cooperation programmes or projects can be:Technical cooperation programmes or projects can be:

GlobalGlobalGlobalGlobal RegionalRegionalRegionalRegional InterregionalInterregionalInterregionalInterregional

NationalNationalNationalNational MultilateralMultilateralMultilateralMultilateral

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVESDecent work as a global goalDecent work as a global goal

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVESDecent work as a global goalDecent work as a global goal

Strategic objectivesStrategic objectives

1. To promote 1. To promote and realize and realize standards and standards and fundamental fundamental principles and principles and rights at workrights at work

2. To create 2. To create greater greater opportunities opportunities for women and for women and men to secure men to secure decent decent employment and employment and incomeincome

3. To enhance 3. To enhance the coverage the coverage and and effectiveness of effectiveness of social social protection for protection for allall

4. To strengthen 4. To strengthen tripartism and tripartism and social dialoguesocial dialogue

Operational objectivesOperational objectives

1.a. 1.a. Fundamental Fundamental principles and principles and rights at workrights at work

2.a. 2.a. Employment, Employment, labour markets, labour markets, skills and skills and employabilityemployability

3.a. Enhanced 3.a. Enhanced social security social security coveragecoverage

4.a. Strengthened 4.a. Strengthened social partnerssocial partners

1.b. Standards-1.b. Standards-related related activitiesactivities

2.b. 2.b. Employment Employment creation creation

3.b. Effective 3.b. Effective labour labour protectionprotection

4.b. Governments 4.b. Governments and institutions of and institutions of social dialoguesocial dialogue

4.c. Development 4.c. Development of social dialogue of social dialogue at the sectoral at the sectoral levellevel

International Labour International Labour Office Office

International Labour International Labour Office Office

TheThe International Labour Office International Labour Office in Geneva is the in Geneva is the Organization’s secretariat and also acts as its Organization’s secretariat and also acts as its operational headquarters, research centre and operational headquarters, research centre and publishing house. It implements activities related to publishing house. It implements activities related to the objectives and policies emanating from the objectives and policies emanating from Governing Body decisions.Governing Body decisions.

Administration and management are decentralized to Administration and management are decentralized to regional offices for the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe regional offices for the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Arab States, and through subregional and/or and the Arab States, and through subregional and/or country offices within each region. country offices within each region. See organization See organization chartchart

The Office also acts as a research and documentation The Office also acts as a research and documentation centre; as a publishing house, it produces a wide centre; as a publishing house, it produces a wide range of specialized studies, reports and periodicals. range of specialized studies, reports and periodicals.

HeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquartersHeadquarters

Juan Somavia is Chilean and an Juan Somavia is Chilean and an attorney by profession. Juan attorney by profession. Juan Somavia was elected to serve as Somavia was elected to serve as the ninth Director-General of the the ninth Director-General of the International Labour Office by the International Labour Office by the Governing Body on 23 March 1998. Governing Body on 23 March 1998. His five-year term of office began His five-year term of office began on 4 March 1999, when he became on 4 March 1999, when he became the first representative from the the first representative from the Southern hemisphere to head the Southern hemisphere to head the Organization. In March 2003, Mr Organization. In March 2003, Mr Somavia was re-elected for a Somavia was re-elected for a second five-year term. second five-year term.

The ILO The ILO headquarters in headquarters in

Geneva, SwitzerlandGeneva, SwitzerlandThe Office employs some 1,900 The Office employs some 1,900 officials of more than one officials of more than one hundred nationalities at its hundred nationalities at its Geneva headquarters and in forty Geneva headquarters and in forty offices throughout the world. In offices throughout the world. In addition, some 600 experts carry addition, some 600 experts carry out missions under the technical out missions under the technical cooperation programme.cooperation programme.

International labour standards International labour standards and fundamental principles and and fundamental principles and

rights at work rights at work (Sector 1)(Sector 1)

International labour standards International labour standards and fundamental principles and and fundamental principles and

rights at work rights at work (Sector 1)(Sector 1)

Decent Decent employment employment and incomeand income

((Sector 2) Sector 2)

Decent Decent employment employment and incomeand income

((Sector 2) Sector 2)

Social protectionSocial protectionfor allfor all

(Sector 3)(Sector 3)

Social protectionSocial protectionfor allfor all

(Sector 3)(Sector 3)

Tripartism and Tripartism and social dialogue social dialogue

((Sector 4)Sector 4)

Tripartism and Tripartism and social dialogue social dialogue

((Sector 4)Sector 4)

ILO sectors for implementing ILO sectors for implementing the strategic objectivesthe strategic objectives

ILO sectors for implementing ILO sectors for implementing the strategic objectivesthe strategic objectives

ILOILO

SECTOR 1SECTOR 1International labour International labour standards and fundamental standards and fundamental principles and rights at work principles and rights at work

SECTOR 1SECTOR 1International labour International labour standards and fundamental standards and fundamental principles and rights at work principles and rights at work

Strategic objectives and Strategic objectives and sectors sectors


This objective corresponds This objective corresponds to the ILO’s role in to the ILO’s role in promoting and monitoring promoting and monitoring the implementation of the implementation of labour standards. In this labour standards. In this regard, the ILO has eight regard, the ILO has eight fundamental Conventions fundamental Conventions and seeks to achieve their and seeks to achieve their universal ratification, universal ratification, namely their adoption by all namely their adoption by all countries throughout the countries throughout the world. world.

SECTOR 2 SECTOR 2 Decent employment andDecent employment andincomeincome

There is a divide between There is a divide between those in the world who have those in the world who have poor-quality jobs – or no jobs poor-quality jobs – or no jobs at all at all –– and those in decent and those in decent employment. The employment employment. The employment of young people and women is of young people and women is a priority for the ILO. The a priority for the ILO. The Organization develops Organization develops programmes for worker programmes for worker training, enterprise creation training, enterprise creation and poverty reduction.and poverty reduction.



SECTOR 3SECTOR 3 Social protection for allSocial protection for all

The ILO understands that The ILO understands that workers and their families need workers and their families need social protection. In this area, social protection. In this area, the Organization is committed to the Organization is committed to promoting a campaign on social promoting a campaign on social protection and coverage for all, protection and coverage for all, which includes subjects such as which includes subjects such as occupational safety and health, occupational safety and health, conditions of work, migration conditions of work, migration and strategies to combat and strategies to combat HIV/AIDS in the world of work.HIV/AIDS in the world of work.



SECTOR 4 SECTOR 4 Tripartism and social dialogueTripartism and social dialogue

The Organization is tripartite, The Organization is tripartite, meaning that governments, meaning that governments, workers and employers are its workers and employers are its constituents. The ILO therefore constituents. The ILO therefore has a special interest in has a special interest in strengthening the organizations strengthening the organizations representing these groups, so representing these groups, so that they can increase their that they can increase their involvement in the development involvement in the development of policies that affect the world of of policies that affect the world of work at the national and work at the national and international levels. international levels.



ILO field structure ILO field structure ILO field structure ILO field structure

HEADQUARTERSHEADQUARTERS

AFRICAAFRICA AMERICASAMERICAS ASIAASIA ARAB STATESARAB STATES EUROPEEUROPE

LIMALIMAABIDJANABIDJAN BANGKOKBANGKOK BEIRUTBEIRUT GENEVAGENEVA

San JoséSan José

SantiagoSantiago

Port-of-SpainPort-of-Spain

CINTERFORCINTERFOR

LegendLegend

HEADQUARTERSHEADQUARTERS

Regional officeRegional office

Subregional officeSubregional office

BrazilBrazil

ArgentinaArgentina

MexicoMexico

CINTERFORCINTERFOR

Country officeCountry office

Research centreResearch centre

The field structure includes a regional office for each continent, as well as The field structure includes a regional office for each continent, as well as subregional offices, country offices and research centres. The chart below subregional offices, country offices and research centres. The chart below shows a breakdown of the field structure in the Americas; for a breakdown of shows a breakdown of the field structure in the Americas; for a breakdown of other continents click here.other continents click here.

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Brochure The ILO at a glance

The ILO: What it is, what it does

What we do

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ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up

ILO Constitution and the Declaration concerning the aims and purposes of the International Labour Organization

Decent work Decent work – – the heart of social progress

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Introduction to the ILO

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Transcript of Introduction to the ILO