GENEVA (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a comprehensive new database providing open access to the latest information on ILO international labour standards as well as national labour and social security laws.

The new database, called NORMLEX, provides a user-friendly interface in English, French and Spanish on issues such as the ratification status of ILO Conventions, comments by the ILO’s supervisory bodies, country profiles related to labour standards and key ILO documents.

The database includes a user guide which serves as an introduction to the world of international labour standards. For example, it explains the difference between an ILO Convention, a Recommendation and a protocol.

NORMLEX and its accompanying database NATLEX – which gathers data on national labour, social security and related human rights legislation – offer an invaluable tool for constituents, researchers, academics, journalists and the general public interested in obtaining information and learning more about this fundamental pillar of ILO’s work.