Key documents

• Article 9 of the Constitution of the ILO (pdf 2.5 MB)
  This fundamental text stresses that the responsibilities of the ILO officials shall be exclusively international in character, thus the prohibition for them to seek or receive instructions from any government or from any other authority external to the Organization.
• Standards of conduct for the international civil service (pdf 114 KB)
  This important text of the UN system, adopted in 2001 by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) in consultation with participating organizations and the representatives of the staff over a three-year period, revises and updates the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service prepared in 1954 by the International Civil Service Advisory Board. It was welcomed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 56/244.

  The ICSC Framework for Human Resources Management, approved by the General Assembly in 2000, illustrates the overarching nature of the Standards of Conduct, noting that they are linked to all elements of the Framework, and states that "although organizations' internal cultures may vary, they face similar ethical challenges. Standards for ethical conduct promote common values and define the behaviour and performance expected of international civil servants."

  This new text aims at providing for the international civil service standards that, like those of 1954, become an indispensable part of the culture and heritage of the organizations and are of similarly enduring quality.

• Pinciples of conduct for staff of the International Labour Office (pdf 130 KB)

  This text, adopted by the Ethics Officer under his own responsibility, outlines and elaborates the standards and the principles and will assist staff in maintaining the highest standards of conduct.

  The principles are an important element in the framework of training programmes on ethical issues. They are not intended to replace the relevant formal texts.

• Chapter I of the ILO Staff Regulations (pdf 125 KB)
  These articles of the Staff Regulations reiterate the principles enshrined in Article 9 of the Constitution, developing them in more detail as regards, in particular, conduct, use of information, loyalty, honours and gifts, political office, privileges and immunities and duties.
• Office Directive on rules governing outside activities and occupations, IGDS No. 71 (pdf 238 KB), the Office Procedure on approval procedures for outside activities and occupations, IGDS No. 70 (pdf 217 KB) and the Office Guideline on outside activities and occupations, IGDS No. 67, 17 June 2009 (pdf 246 KB)
  These texts provide comprehensive and detailed statements, including principles, procedure and guidelines, of the policy that the Director-General decided to follow with regard to the application of the relevant rules in respect of outside activities.
• Office Guideline on conflicts of interest, IGDS No. 68, 17 June 2009 (pdf 247 KB)
  The purpose of this Guideline is to assist officials to identify circumstances which may give rise to potential conflicts of interest and to provide guidance on the procedures to be followed to avoid such conflicts.
• Circular on inappropriate use of contracts in the Office, Series 6, No. 630, of 10 July 2002 (pdf 35 KB)
  This circular aims to recall to managers and staff the main rules governing ST, SST and Ex-Col contracts; and to outline the measures which the Human Resources Development Department (HRD) has been asked to implement to enforce these rules.
• Circular on sexual harassment policy and procedures Series 6, No. 543(Rev.1), of 29 September 2004 (pdf 34 KB)
  This document, while reiterating that all forms of harassment are contrary to the high standards of conduct required of all officials under article 1.2 of the Staff Regulations, contains a definition of sexual harassment and establishes special procedures for the confidential and speedy investigation and handling of such cases.
• Office Directive on ethics in the office, IGDS No. 76, 17 June 2009 (pdf 243 KB)
  This Directive converts ILO Circular No. 662, Series 6, dated 26 April 2006, which established the Ethics Office, following a decision of the Director-General aimed at fostering within the ILO a culture of integrity and high ethical standards.
  
  

  Under Circular No. 662, apart from the creation of the Ethics Office, a copy of the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service was issued to each official with a request to sign a statement confirming that they read and agreed to observe these standards, and a requirement was established for the periodic disclosure of interests by all officials.

• Circular on employment and other types of contracts with close relatives of ILO officials, Series 6, No. 666, of 4 April 2007 (pdf 117 KB)
  This text aims to establish a framework and set down uniform and transparent rules related to the recruitment and employment and issuing of other types of contracts, or both, to engage the services of close relatives of officials. These rules aim in particular to avoid any risk or perception of favoritism or nepotism, and to ensure compliance with appropriate internal controls while ensuring respect for the principle of nondiscrimination.
• Circular on register of financial interests, Series 6, No. 667, of 27 April 2007 (pdf 185 KB)
  This circular introduces a requirement to complete a Register of Financial Interests is being for senior officials (D-1 and above) and other officials who are in particular sensitive positions or are designated by the Director-General.
• Office Directive on anti-fraud policy, IGDS No. 69, 17 June 2009 (pdf 245 KB)
  This document reiterates that the ILO is committed to preventing fraud and dishonesty, for which it has zero tolerance, and to actively promoting an anti-fraud culture.
• Financial Rules of the ILO (for staff only)