In 1975 the ILO opened its office in the Fiji Islands. The primary objective of the ILO Country Office for South Pacific Island Countries is to assist Governments, and Employers' and Workers' Organizations of the Pacific Island countries in their efforts to reduce Decent Work deficits (as part of a global goal) and to pursue development for dignity through the achievements of rights at work, employment, social protection and social dialogue.
It has been promoting Decent Work through various means of action including technical co-operation in Pacific Island countries.
The CO-Suva office serves 22 Pacific Island countries, eight of which are ILO member States:
- Fiji (joined in 1974);
- Papua New Guinea (joined in 1976);
- Solomon Islands (joined in 1984);
- Kiribati (joined in 2000);
- Vanuatu (joined in 2004);
- Samoa (joined in 2005);
- Marshall Islands (joined in July 2007); and
- Tuvalu (joined in May 2008).