ILO: Introduction,

organization and
objectives
Introduction
Tripartism and Social Dialogue
Underlying the ILO’s work is the importance of cooperation
between governments and employers’ and workers’
organizations in fostering social and economic progress
fortifying social justice, human rights and labour rights.

The ILO helps advance the creation of decent work and the
economic and working conditions that give working people
and business people a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and
progress.
Introduction
The ILO aims to ensure that it serves the needs of working women and
men by bringing together governments, employers and workers to set
labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes. The very
structure of the ILO, where workers and employers together have an
equal voice with governments in its deliberations, shows social
dialogue in action. It ensures that the views of the social partners are
closely reflected in ILO labour standards, policies and programmes.
 Organs
Governing Body
The Governing Body is the executive council of the ILO and meets three times
a year in Geneva. It takes decisions on ILO policy and establishes the
programme and the budget, which it then submits to the Conference for
adoption.
International Labour Office
The ILO secretariat, operational headquarters, research centre and publishing
house, are based in the International Labour Office, Geneva. Administration
and management are decentralized in regional, area, and branch offices.
Organs
International Labour Conference
International labour standards and the broad policies of the ILO are set
by the International Labour Conference, which meets annually. Often
called an international parliament of labour, the Conference is also a
forum for discussion of key social and labour questions.
Organs
In International Labour Conference and the Governing Body, the national
governments hold half of the seats, and employers’ and workers’
organisations one quarter each of the voting power.

This feature of tripartite representation is to ensure that

the views of the social partners are closely reflected in
labour standards and in shaping policies and programmes.
It makes the ILO unique within the family of the United
Nations and more democratic than other organisations in
the multilateral system.
Strategic Objectives of ILO
• Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at
work.
• Create greater opportunities for women and men to decent
employment and income.
• Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all.
• Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue.
 Areas of Work
The main subject areas of the international labour standards include the
fundamental rights at work, which are contained in the eight so - called core
labour standards of the ILO. These are:
 freedom of association,
 the right to organise;
 the right to collective bargaining;
 the abolition of forced labour;
 a minimum age for employment ,
 the effective abolition of child labour;
 The prohibition of workplace discrimination; as well as
 the mandate for equal pay for women and men for work of equal value.
These standards rank among the general human rights according to the
declarations of the United Nations and the European Social Charter.
Areas of Work
The remaining ILO Conventions are also part of international law and
refer to substantive and technical standards for the labour market;
employment and training; enterprise development; remuneration;
working hours and rest periods; workplace health and safety; social
security; particularly vulnerable workers; and collective labour relations
and social dialogue.