International Labour Standards
Since 1919, the International Labour Organization has maintained and developed a system of international labour standards aimed at promoting opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity. In today's globalised economy, international labour standards are an essential component in the international framework for ensuring that the growth of the global economy provides benefits to all.
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Bridging textbooks and labour rights: how two law educators are transforming classrooms in Bangladesh
International Labour Standards
Landmark ratifications in San Marino towards a future of work with safe and healthy working environments
Ongoing and upcoming events
Research webinar
(Re)Defining Workspace: Dissolving Boundaries and Application of Labour Legislation
Setting targets and developing formalization strategies to make decent work a reality for domestic workers
15 years of advancing decent work for domestic workers
Explore labour standards
All standards
NORMLEX: Standards database
Explore all labour conventions, protocols and recommendations — by number, subject, type or status — in the ILO’s NORMLEX database.
Highlight
The Maritime labour convention, 2006
Adopted 20 years ago, the MLC sets out the right of the world’s 1.5 million seafarers to decent conditions of working and living condition.
Standards ratification: a commitment and a process
All ILO member States are held by the ILO Constitution to consider ratification of all up-to-date Conventions. They should do so regularly and on the basis of consultation with the social partners.
Standards implementation: ILO supervisory system
International labour standards are backed by a supervisory system supervisory system comprised of independent legal experts and tripartite bodies to help ensure that countries implement the Conventions they ratify.
114th International Labour Conference (1-12 June 2026)
Committee on the Application of Standards
Monitoring the application of labour standards worldwide
Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR)
Reporting resources and forms for constituents
Constitutional reporting obligations: Resources and forms for constituents
The future of reporting on ratified Conventions
Standards review mechanism
The Standards Review Mechanism (SRM) ensures clear, robust and up-to-date body of standards respond to the changing patterns of the world of work.
Support, trainings and guide for constituents
ILO Helpdesk for business on international labour standards
Training programmes on International Labour Standards
Handbook of procedures for constituents
ILO Publications on International Labour Standards
Browse our selection of publications, articles and working papers on International Labour Standards.
Reference documents
See also
International labour standards and human rights
International labour standards and international trade
Trade for Decent Work Project