
About the ILO
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that social justice is essential to universal and lasting peace.
The only tripartite U.N. agency, since 1919 the ILO brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
How the ILO works

International Labour Conference

ILO Governing Body

ILO Director-General

ILO organizational structure

Tripartism

The unique tripartite structure of the ILO gives an equal voice to workers, employers and governments to ensure that their views are closely reflected in setting labour standards and shaping policies.

Partnerships

The ILO partnerships and development cooperation programmes enhance policy coherence and mobilize resources to realize social justice through decent and productive jobs.
Reference documents
ILO Constitution
ILO Declarations
Managing for results
Accountability and transparency
Accountability and transparency are key to monitoring progress toward decent work and SDGs. The ILO uses open data to share performance results, fostering informed governance. Transparency strengthens the ILO’s reliability and accountability.
Work with us

Employment opportunities

Procurement

History of the ILO
The ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice.