About the Sectoral Activities Programme

A sectoral approach in the ILO's Decent Work Country Programmes

Sectoral work and International Labour Standards (ILS)

The Sectoral Activities Programme, managed by the Sectoral Activities Branch (SECTOR), facilitates the exchange of information between the ILO's tripartite constituents on labour and social developments in economic and social sectors, produces research on topical sectoral issues and provides technical assistance to help solve labour problems.

As part of the Social Dialogue, Labour Law and Labour Administration and Sectoral Activities Department in the ILO's Social Dialogue Sector, SECTOR contributes to the Organization's strategic objective of strengthening tripartism and social dialogue. SECTOR organizes action programmes in various sectors in a number of countries, and international meetings that provide a forum for discussion and an exchange of views on current sectoral issues. Sectoral meetings are generally tripartite (equal participation by governments, employers and workers), or joint (where the government is the predominant or sole employer, but with some participation from private sector employers). Seminars or specialized meetings of experts are also held. Meetings adopt agreed conclusions that serve as recommendations for sectoral policies and measures, as well as guidelines, codes of practice and reports for action as appropriate at the international and national level and by the ILO.

SECTOR’s technical assistance includes the promotion of dialogue on priority labour and social issues at the national or regional level, through seminars and workshops, technical advice on sectoral labour issues, collection, analysis and dissemination of sectoral information and carrying out studies on issues of concern to particular sectors or groups of sectors.