10/16/2026
The International Labour Organization (ILO) promotes social justice, workers' rights and decent work around the world. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations and is unique within the UN system because it brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to develop international labour standards and policies.
ILO stands for the International Labour Organization.
It was founded in 1919 and became the first and oldest specialized agency of the United Nations.
The organization currently brings together governments, employers and workers from 187 Member States.
This three-way structure is known as the tripartite system.
The ILO's central mission is to promote social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights.
It works toward a world in which people can obtain decent employment, earn fair incomes and work under safe and equitable conditions.
One of the ILO's most important functions is creating international labour standards.
These standards address issues such as:
Freedom of association
Collective bargaining
Forced labour
Child labour
Discrimination
Occupational safety and health
Working conditions
Member States can adopt and implement relevant ILO conventions and recommendations according to the applicable international framework.
The ILO promotes opportunities for women and men to obtain productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.
Its Decent Work Agenda is central to this mission.
The ILO promotes fundamental principles and rights at work.
This includes efforts to eliminate forced labour and child labour and combat discrimination in employment.
The organization works to expand and strengthen social protection systems.
This can include social security, employment protection and policies designed to reduce vulnerability.
The ILO works with governments and partners on employment policies, skills development, labour-market institutions and strategies for creating productive employment.
ILO produces research, statistics and analysis concerning employment, wages, working conditions, labour markets and other workplace issues.
The organization helps governments and social partners develop and implement labour policies and programmes.
The ILO's tripartite structure makes it particularly distinctive.
Governments are represented alongside employers and workers.
This means that labour standards and policies are developed through dialogue among the three groups directly involved in the world of work.
Yes.
The ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It works with the UN system on interconnected issues including poverty, inequality, employment and sustainable development.
The ILO works to promote social justice, labour rights and decent work. Its activities include setting international labour standards, supporting employment, strengthening social protection, protecting workers' rights and providing labour-market research and technical assistance.
ILO – About the ILO
ILO – Mission and Impact
ILO and the UN
ILO – International Labour Standards
Unchannel - 10/16/2026