International Labor Organization

The International Labor Organization (ILO) is a global international labor association with a primary goal of improving working conditions, living standards, and equitable treatment of workers in all nations. Most of the major industrialized countries in the world, including the United States, are members of the ILO, which was created in 1919 at the Versailles peace conference, ending World War I. The ILO’s constitution is included in the Treaty of Versailles. When it was created, the ILO’s goals included humanitarian, political, and economic objectives; or, as its constitution states, “conditions of labor exist involving . . . injustice, hardship and privation to large numbers of people.” The constitution also refers to “unrest so great that the peace and harmony of the world are imperiled.” The ILO hoped to reduce worker-industrialization tension and in the process reduce social unrest. It further hoped to gain worldwide acceptance of basic rights and reforms, recognizing that countries where workers were exploited could produce goods more cheaply. Therefore, global acceptance of basic rights and working conditions would “level the playing field” in economic COMPETITION. At the Versailles peace conference, a fourth justification for creating the ILO emerged: “[U]niversal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice.” Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the ILO became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946. It issues conventions to recommend international labor standards when there is substantial agreement among members. It also issues recommendations in situations where the issue is complex or when there is not a consensus regarding proper labor practices. Member states are obliged to provide ANNUAL REPORTs to verify their compliance with ILO conventions they have ratified. The ILO’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations reviews submissions and compiles a “special list” of governments that have defaulted on their obligations to the ILO agreements. The list is then presented to the General Conference for review and approval. In 1974 the Soviet Union was included on the list for breach of the 1930 Convention Concerning Forced or Compulsory Labor. After considerable debate, the General Conference failed to adopt the committee’s recommendations, leading to U.S. withdrawal from the ILO in 1977. The United States rejoined the organization in 1980. In recent years the ILO has focused on human rights, stating as its strategic objectives to
• promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work
• create greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent EMPLOYMENT and INCOME
• enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all
• strengthen tripartism (government, labor, and industry cooperation) and social dialogue
In 1969 the ILO received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work.