All publications: labour relations + collective bargaining + collective agreements + workers participation + workers representation

Policy Brief

Brief 2 — Fiscal policies to advance social justice

Fiscal policy lies at the heart of social justice. Every decision on taxation, spending, and borrowing expresses a society’s social contract—defining who contributes, who benefits, and whose needs are prioritized. This brief provides trade unions...

Policy Brief

Brief 1 — Advancing decent work through macroeconomic policy coherence

This brief reframes macroeconomic policymaking as a space of democratic choice, not technocratic abstraction. It shows how fiscal, monetary, and exchange-rate decisions directly affect employment, job quality, and equity—and why workers’ voices are...

ILO Working Paper 153

The return of the visible hand: Social dialogue and the making of 21st-century industrial policy

Industrial policy has returned amid geopolitical rivalry, supply-chain fragility, and contemporary grand transitions, but its performance hinges less on ideology than on governance and design. By examining three comparative cases (Germany, Republic...

Fact Sheet – IRDS

The Social Partnership of Barbados

The Barbados Social Partnership is a tripartite agreement between the government, employers and workers which, through dialogue and cooperation, has sustained the country's economic and social stability for more than three decades.

Social Dialogue and Labour Relations in Latin America and the Caribbean

The report is an analytical and reference tool for understanding the state of social dialogue in Latin America and the Caribbean and guiding its strengthening in the coming years.

Origin, Functioning, and Impact

The Economic and Social Council (SER) of Curaçao

The SER of Curaçao is a tripartite, independent body that advises the government on socio-economic issues. It promotes social dialogue and sustainable development, with rulings that have influenced political, judicial and legislative decisions,...

WSSD2 Brief

Peak-level social dialogue: An essential force for economic development and social progress

This brief highlights the role of peak-level social dialogue in fostering inclusive, legitimate policymaking and advancing the UN 2030 Agenda. It examines current challenges and gaps in participation, resources, and fundamental rights that affect...

ILO Working paper 145

The role of collective bargaining in promoting just transitions

This working paper explores the role of collective bargaining in achieving a just transition, drawing on recent literature and a sample of 512 collective agreements. An in-depth study of six country case studies from various regions highlights key...

ILO Working Paper 144

Global case studies of social dialogue on AI and algorithmic management

This working paper explores how social dialogue is shaping the use of AI and algorithmic tools in workplaces across five continents. Through case studies, it highlights how worker representatives are influencing AI-related decisions in areas like...

ILO Working Paper 143

Collective bargaining and collective action in the platform economy

This working paper was prepared in 2024 and reviews developments internationally since 2021 relating to the exercise of the right to bargain collectively and the existence of collective agreements among workers in the platform economy. The paper...

Brief

Achievement of the Strengthening Industrial Relations in Indonesia (SIRI) Project

A summary of the SIRI Project's achievements and results in Indonesia.

ILO Working Paper 142

Developing effective digital case management systems for labour dispute prevention and resolution institutions

Lessons learned from the ILO 2025 South-South and Triangular Cooperation workshop on digital case management systems

Report

A methodology to estimate the needs of workers and their families for the purpose of wage setting, including living wages

This report outlines the ILO’s methodology for estimating the needs of workers and their families to support evidence-based wage setting, including living wages. It provides practical guidance for using household income and expenditure surveys and...

The Brazilian Experience with the Mediator Platform

Registry of Collective Labour Instruments

The "Mediador" Collective Bargaining System was created to facilitate the drafting, registration and public consultation of collective bargaining instruments in Brazil.

Collective bargaining models in Argentina Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay

The study compares collective bargaining systems in the Southern Cone, examining their legal bases and practical functioning, with the aim of identifying good practices that contribute to strengthening labour rights in the region.

Policy Brief

Social dialogue for the governance of labour migration

This policy brief explores the role of social dialogue in the governance of labour migration. It examines how tripartite and bipartite social dialogue, cooperation and action have contributed to the development and implementation of rights-based and...

GB.353/POL/2

Progress report on the ILO integrated strategy for the promotion and implementation of the right to collective bargaining

This document describes progress made in implementing the ILO integrated strategy for the promotion and implementation of the right to collective bargaining, which was adopted by the Governing Body at its 349th Session (October–November 2023). The...

ILO Flagship report

Social Dialogue Report 2024: Peak-level social dialogue for economic development and social progress

The report explores the critical role of social dialogue in advancing decent work, ensuring a fair labour income distribution, addressing the challenges of the digital and green transitions and delivering a renewed social contract for peace and...

ILO Working Paper 129

Industrial relations in micro and small enterprises: patterns, trends and prospects

This working paper offers a global review of industrial relations within micro and small enterprises (MSEs), focusing on the collective representation of workers and employers, collective bargaining, and legal frameworks. MSEs and the self-employed...

Proceedings of the Subregional Conference

Trade Union Freedom, Social Dialogue, and Conflict Resolution 2024

The conference highlighted the essential role of freedom of association and social dialogue in democracy and labour justice. It was agreed to promote national mechanisms that strengthen collective bargaining and peaceful conflict resolution in Latin...