Particular attention should be paid to special categories of workers, especially those whose conditions are most in need of improvement. In many countries, workers in cottage industries, the urban informal sector, agricultural workers, small shop and service establishments, domestic workers and homeworkers have very poor terms and conditions of employment.

Many ILO standards are applicable to these workers. Furthermore, a Convention deals specifically with the situation of homeworkers. These analyses help to develop policy recommendations as well as practical approaches and training programmes for promoting positive changes affecting the least protected workers (see Working conditions).