Know Your Organization

Know Your Organization - ILO

Bankers Guru

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency dealing with labour issues, particularly international labour standards, social protection, and work opportunities for all.185 of the 193 UN member states are members of the ILO.

In 1969, the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize for improving peace among classes, pursuing justice for workers, and providing technical assistance to other developing nations.

The ILO registers complaints against entities that are violating international rules; however, it does not impose sanctions on governments.

Unlike other United Nations specialized agencies, the International Labour Organization has a tripartite governing structure – representing governments, employers, and workers (usually with a ratio of 2:1:1).The rationale behind the tripartite structure is the creation of free and open debate among governments and social partners.

The ILO secretariat (staff) is referred to as the International Labour Office.

The Governing Body decides the agenda of the International Labour Conference, adopts the draft programme and budget of the organization for submission to the conference, elects the director-general, requests information from member states concerning labour matters, appoints commissions of inquiry and supervises the work of the International Labour Office.

Juan Somavía was the ILO's director-general from 1999 until October 2012, when Guy Ryder was elected as his replacement.

This guiding body is composed of 28 government representatives, 14 workers' representatives, and 14 employers' representatives.

Ten of the government seats are held by member states that are nations of "chief industrial importance," as first considered by an "impartial committee." The nations are Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.The terms of office are three years.