The International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency dealing with labour issues, particularly international labour standards. 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 ILO is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.
International labour standards are legal instruments drawn up by the ILO's constituents (governments, employers and workers) and set out basic principles and rights at work. They are either conventions, which are legally binding international treaties that may be ratified by Member States, or recommendations, which serve as non-binding guidelines.