Half of the world's workers are found in agriculture, and 40% (some 440 million workers) are found in wage employment. Many women are working in agriculture throughout the world, often in the most precarious situations.As a means to raise awareness and to promote the ILO mandate in the context of the rapid globalization of agriculture throughout the world, the problems facing workers in agriculture need to be highlighted concerning social exclusion,poverty alleviation, fundamental rights,sustainable agriculture and sustainable development, food security and decent work in agriculture.

ILO standards, especially those in the Declaration on forced work, freedom of association, collective bargaining, non-discrimination and child labour are all vitally important to this vulnerable group of agriculture and rural workers who are often denied fundamental rights,decent work and lack basic food for their families although they produce food for the world.