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International Labour Organization (ILO)

"The primary goal of the ILO today is to promote opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity."

-Juan Somavia, Director General, ILO

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the UN specialized agency that promotes social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. The ILO was founded in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles and became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946. Within the UN system, the ILO has a unique tripartite structure, with workers and employers participating as equal partners with governments in the governance of the organization. Shortly before becoming an agency of the newly-formed United Nations, the ILO adopted what is known as the Philadelphia Declaration, which affirmed the following fundamental principles:

1. labour is not a commodity.
2. freedom of expression and association are essential to sustained progress.
3. poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere.
4. 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 to those governments, join them in free discussion and democratic decision with a view to the promotion of the common welfare.

These principles remain central to the philosophy and the activities of the ILO and its member States today.

The ILO:

• is the only tripartite United Nations organization– with representatives of governments and workers’ and employers’ organizations participating in its administration and activities. The ILO has 178 member States, representing industrialized and developing countries as well as countries in transition (former Eastern Bloc countries).
• adopts international labour standards in the form of Conventions (international treaties subject to ratification by ILO member States) or Recommendations (non-binding guidelines for national policy and action). States that have ratified ILO Conventions periodically report to the ILO on measures they have taken to implement their requirements.
• may call for appropriate action where it identifies a non-conformity to any ratified Convention. Complaints may be submitted to the ILO by other member States or by workers’ or employers’ organizations. Complaints concerning freedom of association and collective bargaining are handled by a special supervisory mechanism that allows complaints to be filed whether or not the applicable Conventions have been ratified.
• adopted, in June 1998, the ILO "Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work" and its follow-up, containing principles which member States are bound to respect whether or not they have ratified specific Conventions on these subjects. These fundamental principles—freedom of association and collective bargaining, the abolition of forced labour and child labour, and the elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation—are also embodied in eight fundamental or "core" Conventions.
• carries out, in addition to its traditional standards-setting functions, a broad range of activities such as providing assistance to developing countries in training their labour forces and strengthening their labour administration systems; developing legislation; research and publications on labour and employment issues; meetings dealing with particular sectors or branches of the economy, etc.
• works with international organizations, including other United Nations agencies as well as the Bretton Woods Institutions, to address the social dimensions of globalization and ensure that trade liberalization is beneficial for all.

For full details on the International Labour Organization, and to keep abreast of ILO issues, visit its website. You may also wish to look through the ILO's World of Work on-line magazine, which contains articles and studies on a wide variety of international labour topics.

Canada and the ILO

As a founding member of the ILO and member of the ILO's Governing Body, Canada has played an active and constructive role since the formation of the ILO in 1919, working consistently in support of the Organization's aims, values, and tripartite structure.

International Labour Affairs manages Canada 's participation in the ILO on behalf of the Minister of Labour.

• Canada’s Participation in the ILO
• Promoting Respect for Internationally Recognized Labour Standards
  • Promoting the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
  • Eliminating Child Labour
• Reports Tabled in Parliament
• Canadian Ratification of ILO Conventions
• International Labour Conference
• The Governing Body of the ILO