The Employment Policy Department focuses on promoting international labour standards related to employment policy, in particular Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). The general principles of an active employment policy are elaborated further in Employment Policy Recommendation, 1964 (No. 122) and Employment Policy (Supplementary Provisions) Recommendation, 1984 (No. 169). The work of the Unit is guided by the Global Employment Agenda with the objective to create productive and decent employment for women and men.

The Employment Policy Department 's work contributes to the further elaboration and implementation of the Global Employment Agenda at the national and regional levels through policy advice and technical cooperation to the ILO constituents. The choice of countries assisted by EMP/POL projects as well as the policy issues tackled and the type and form of collaboration are demand-driven, determined in agreement with the governments and the social partners while also taking into account possible useful synergies with other projects undertaken by the ILO.

Project activities may include advisory missions, advisory reports, employment strategy papers, policy reviews, tripartite conferences, seminars or workshops, collection of information and data through surveys, study tours, training seminars, development of tools to translate employment policies into action, and pilot demonstration activities to show-case tools and knowledge of employment promotion methods and policies. Special emphasis is given to gender and employment issues.