Sectoral Policies Department (SECTOR)
The Sectoral Policies Department (SECTOR) promotes decent work by addressing social and labour issues in specific economic sectors, both at international and national levels. By tackling challenges and development issues of great importance for specific sectors, the International Labour Organization (ILO) assists governments, employers and workers to develop policies and programmes aimed at enhancing economic opportunities and improving working conditions in each sector.
Over the years, SECTOR has implemented a number of national activities at industry level. Social dialogue is at the heart of sectoral work - but all other pillars of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda – employment creation, labour rights and social protection – have also been addressed as a result of SECTOR’s cross-cutting nature.
Over the years, SECTOR has implemented a number of national activities at industry level. Social dialogue is at the heart of sectoral work - but all other pillars of the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda – employment creation, labour rights and social protection – have also been addressed as a result of SECTOR’s cross-cutting nature.
Centenary Slideshow
Sectoral policies have a long history since ILO’s foundation in 1919. The ILO has been promoting decent work in each specific economic sector through consensus building, knowledge development, capacity development, and policy coherence. Such sectoral approach is expected to become even more relevant in the context of the Future of Work.
The Sectoral Policies Department (SECTOR) provides support to ILO constituents in addressing employment and labour issues in specific economic and social sectors at the global, regional and national levels.
1927, Consultative Commission of Intellectual Workers with Albert Einstein, Albert Thomas, Edward Phelan, Entico Marchezi, Jean Morellet, Pierre Walline and Jules Lecoq.
The Joint Maritime Commission is a prime example of effective cross-border social dialogue. Since 1920, it has brought together seafarers’ and shipowners’ representatives to determine the minimum monthly basic pay for able seafarers.
Saint Genix firemen intervene in Guiers, Savoie, France, 2005. The ILO has provided guidance to fire fighters and their employers on personal protective equipment since 1949.
© Marc Crozet
Health workers, such as this village nurses, are the first line of defence in health emergencies. The joint ILO-OECD-WHO Working for Health Programme assists countries in creating decent health jobs to ensure equal access to health services.
Member of the crew of a commercial ship testing lifesaving equipment, Port of Southampton, U.K., 2008. The ILO held a sectoral meeting on the recruitment and retention of seafarers, with a special focus on women seafarers, in 2019.
© Marc Crozet
The ILO has been discussing matters on road safety and the social conditions of road transport drivers since 1938. Here, a truck driver is being inspected for working and driving time compliance, Chartres, France.
Empowering rural women through decent work contributes to inclusive and sustainable growth, enhances the effectiveness of poverty reduction and food security initiatives and climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
© Marc Crozet
A large share of the world’s poor live in rural areas and rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Through a holistic approach, the ILO promotes decent work in the rural economy and offers guidance to take concrete action.
The ILO is working with its constituents to address decent work challenges so that the textile and clothes sector can generate more decent work.
© ILO / IFC Better Work Programme
Conditions of work in mines are traditionally harsh and hazardous. Since the adoption of ILO Convention on Safety and Health in Mines in 1995 (N°176), workers have been more protected and less exposed to hazards worldwide.