International Labour Organization
UN agency founded in 1919, setting international labour standards and fundamental rights at work, with research, social protection programmes and a tripartite structure of governments, employers and workers.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the United Nations agency for the world of work. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it has 187 Member States and operates through field offices worldwide. Its mandate is to advance social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights, on the premise that social justice is essential to lasting peace.
For legal professionals, the ILO's central work concerns international labour standards and fundamental rights at work: setting, promoting and supervising the Conventions and Recommendations that form the body of international labour law. Alongside standard-setting, the organisation produces research, statistics and publications that inform global policy, and runs employment and social protection programmes supporting decent and productive work, decent employment and income opportunities, and strengthened social protection. Technical domains include labour statistics and research, policy analysis, social protection, social dialogue, and employment and income policy.
A distinctive feature of the ILO is its tripartite structure, which brings together three stakeholder groups - governments, employers and workers - giving each a voice in setting labour standards and shaping policy. The organisation works across labour and employment, social protection, human and labour rights, and international development and public policy, with global membership across countries and sectors.