1. International Labour Standards’ Characteristics and Standards’ Setting
International Training Centre of the ILO

2. International Training Centre of the ILO
Why have ILS?
A path to decent work
An international legal framework for fair and stable globalization
A level playing field
A means of improving economic performance
A safety net in times of economic crisis
A strategy for reducing poverty
Sharing the sum of international experience
International Training Centre of the ILO

3. International Training Centre of the ILO
International Training Centre of the ILO

4. International Labour Standards
Conventions
International treaties
When ratified, are legally binding
If not ratified, could represent legal objectives and influence national legislation
188 Conventions (as of May 2009)
Recommendations
Not open to ratification
Not legally binding
Provide general or technical guidelines on national policy and practice
199 Recommendations (as of May 2009)
Protocols
International Training Centre of the ILO

5. Subjects covered by ILS
Freedom of association, collective bargaining and industrial relations
Forced labour
Elimination of child labour and protection of children and young persons
Equality of opportunity and treatment
Tripartite consultation
Labour administration and inspection
Employment policy and promotion
Vocational guidance and training
Employment security
Social policy
Wages
Working time
Occupational safety and health
Social security
Maternity protection
Migrant workers
Seafarers
Fishers
Dockworkers
Indigenous and tribal peoples
Specific categories of workers
Social policy
International Training Centre of the ILO

6. International Training Centre of the ILO
International Training Centre of the ILO

7. International Training Centre of the ILO
International Training Centre of the ILO

8. The Double-discussion Procedure
Suggestions from governments,
workers, employers, ILO Office,
UN Agencies, etc.
Role of social partners:
GOVERNING BODY
Participation
OFFICE: I Report
Governments
Consultation
OFFICE: II Report
Governments
Consultation
TRIPARTITE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
First discussion
Participation
OFFICE: III Report
Governments
Consultation
OFFICE: IV Report
Governments
Consultation
TRIPARTITE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Second discussion
Participation
CONFERENCE PLENARY
Adoption
Participation
International Training Centre of the ILO

9. International Training Centre of the ILO
General Discussion
Standard-Setting
First
Discussion
Second Discussion
2009
- Gender equality at the heart of decent work (general discussion)
- Strengthening national responses to HIV/Aids in the world of work ( with a view to the adoption of an autonomous Recommendation)
None
2010
- Recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of employment
- Review of the follow-up to the 1998 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
- Decent work for Domestic workers (Standard setting)
2011
- Recurrent discussion on the strategic objective of social protection
[V. Postponed item: Employment and social protection in the new demographic context. The Governing Body at its 306th Session (November 2009) will decide on how this question will be dealt with. ]
International Training Centre of the ILO

10. Standards-Setting Policy
Since 1994
: Working Party on Policy regarding the Revision of Standards (pre-1985 instruments)
Governing Body document GB 298/LILS/4 ... Implications for
Standards setting
Ratification promotion
Supervision of ratified and unratified instruments
International Training Centre of the ILO