Publications on indigenous and tribal peoples

  1. Implementing the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention No. 169: Towards an inclusive, sustainable and just future

    03 February 2020

    This report examines the implementation of the Convention No. 169 and the current social and economic situation of indigenous people across the world.

  2. A qualitative study on stigma and discrimination experienced by indigenous peoples living with HIV or having TB at work

    13 December 2019

    Indigenous peoples living with HIV or having TB face double discrimination. Being an LGBT indigenous person adds another layer to this. Barriers to accessing health services, denial of the right to work and discrimination in employment settings are highlighted in a new ILO study undertaken by the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, the secretariat of the International Indigenous HIV & AIDS Working Group. Read more…

  3. Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) - General observation, publication 2019

    31 July 2019

    At its 2018 session (November–December), the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) adopted a general observation on the application of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169). The text of this observation is reproduced in this brochure.

  4. Excerpts from reports and comments of the ILO Supervisory Bodies: Applying the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169)

    26 June 2019

    This tool seeks to disseminate the comments and recommendations of the ILO supervisory bodies in the context of the application of Convention No. 169. It includes extracts from the comments of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations and the reports of tripartite committees of the Governing Body that have examined representations regarding the Convention. The document is organized in a thematic and chronological manner, since the entry into force of the Convention. With this tool, the ILO seeks to contribute to the understanding of the Convention, an effective promotion and application.

  5. Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change: Emerging Research on Traditional Knowledge and Livelihoods

    16 April 2019

    Traditional knowledge of indigenous communities cuts across numerous aspects of sustainability and resilience. However, the practice of traditional knowledge is yet to be adequately understood, with many research gaps confronting policy-makers. Prominent among these is an understanding of the interplay of traditional knowledge systems, rooted in indigenous ways of life, cultural approaches and traditional occupations, with the transformations being experienced in societies, economies, institutions, technologies and the climate. A collaboration between the ILO and the School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, this publication draws on recent and emerging research conducted directly with communities across Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. It aims at sharing experiences gained by researchers and the communities themselves with policy-makers and key stakeholders.

  6. Consultations with indigenous peoples on constitutional recognition - The Chilean experience (2016–17)

    27 November 2018

    The ILO is seeking to document experiences regarding consultation with and participation of indigenous and tribal peoples for consideration by interested governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, as well as organizations of indigenous peoples. The present study describes the consultation process concerning constitutional recognition carried out by the Government in Chile between May 2016 and November 2017.

  7. Promoting decent work for indigenous and tribal people through employment and investment programs

    14 August 2018

    This policy brief provides insights into the various construction projects supervised by the Employment Intensive Investment Program of the International Labour Organization in favour of Indigenous and Tribal People.

  8. Transforming our world: A cooperative 2030 - Cooperative contributions to SDG 10

    09 August 2018

    This brief is part of the Transforming our world: A cooperative 2030 series produced by the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC). Through a series of 17 briefs, one for each Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), COPAC hopes to raise awareness about the significant contributions of cooperative enterprises towards achieving the 2030 Agenda in a sustainable, inclusive and responsible way, and encourage continued support for their efforts. This brief in the series focuses on SDG 10 - reducing inequality within and among countries.

  9. Social Protection for Indigenous Peoples

    15 March 2018

    Indigenous and tribal peoples’ disproportionate representation among the poor and limited access to social protection are linked to their low levels of participation in decision-making. Social protection programmes may not sufficiently take into account their cultural integrity and ways of life. Guaranteeing at least a basic level of social protection, a social protection floor for all, including indigenous men, women and children, represents an essential component of national strategies for sustainable development. This brief highlights the importance of social protection for indigenous peoples and provides ways for ensuring a rights-based framework for promoting social protection for indigenous men, women and children.

  10. Rural Women at Work: Bridging the gaps

    06 March 2018

    Rural women - a quarter of the world’s population - work as farmers, wage earners and entrepreneurs. They represent an important share of the agriculture workforce and their contribution to the rural economy is widely underestimated. They are concentrated in the informal economy in low-skilled, low-productivity, and low or unpaid jobs with long working hours. Released ahead of the International Women’s day 2018, this brief captures the challenges rural women face at work and makes recommendations on how to bridge these gaps.