Countries covered

The ILO's tripartite structure makes it unique among the UN organizations. In the ILO, both the employers' and the workers' representatives have an equal voice with those of the governments, in shaping its policies and programmes, resulting in meaningful cooperation amongst the social partners. One of the main functions of the ILO is adoption of International Labour Standards in the form of International Labour Conventions and Recommendations.

ILO, being a Specialized Agency of the United Nations system, seeks to work complimentarily within the objectives of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and the MDGs. ILO also proactively engages with international donors and the development banks, particularly to inform the processes of their country programmes.

The Subregional Office for South Asia, New Delhi (SRO-New Delhi) covers seven countries in South Asia namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Iran Islamic Republic of,  Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. The primary function is to provide technical and advisory services on policies and technical issues related to labour and employment to the tripartite constituents of the ILO within the ILO's core mandate. The Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for India is jointly designed and adopted by the constituents and ILO with the aim of contributing to the overall goal of economic, social and political inclusion for all. DWCP-India has been designed after a long process of formal and informal consultations with partners keeping in mind:

• GOI's thrusts on development with a clear focus on employment and systematic approach to social protection, as reflected in the priorities of the 10th National Plan, findings of the Medium-Term Assessment of the 10th Plan and the proposed priorities of the 11th Plan; and
• the United Nations Development Action Framework (UNDAF)/Joint UN Programming/MDGs.

In addition, technical advisory services are also provided as and when required through ongoing UN Programmes to the two non-member countries - Bhutan and Maldives - in the subregion.