The ILO International Labour Standards Department hosted a workshop on 21-22 June to present the work in progress on a study of the economic dynamics of selected ILO standards. This project seeks to analyse the medium and long-term effects of the application of international labour standards in the areas of equality and non-discrimination, social security, occupational safety and health, working time and skills and vocational training.

The study was written together with the Skills and Employability Department (EMP/SKILLS), the Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork), the Social Security Department (SEC/SOC) and the Conditions of Work and Employment Programme (TRAVAIL). It will take stock of the state of research on the economic impact of standards and describe the approaches and methodologies used, models and theories which underpin research, data used, notable case studies and major findings.

A summary of the workshop papers will be presented by the Committee on Legal Issues and International Labour Standards (LILS) at the November 2007 session of the Governing Body. The full text of the papers will be available at a later date.