News on International Labour Standards

Labour standards

Finland ratifies the Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170)

The Government of Finland deposited the instrument of ratification of the Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) with the International Labour Office, thereby becoming the 18th member State to ratify the Convention.

Labour standards

Republic of Korea ratifies the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)

The Republic of Korea is the 56th ILO member State, and the 14th country from the Asia-Pacific region, to ratify the Convention

Labour standards

Seychelles ratifies the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)

The Republic of Seychelles is the 55th ILO member State of the ILO to ratify the Convention, and the fourth among the States parties to the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for the Indian Ocean Region –after Australia, France and...

Viet Nam garment industry

Better talk leads to better work

As Viet Nam prepares for a major expansion of international trade a new system for worker-employer relations in garment factories is helping to pave the way for improved working conditions and competitiveness.

Multinationales Enterprises and and Freedom of Association

Multinationales Enterprises and Freedom of Association: Cases of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association

Provides an overview of the violations of freedom of association that originated in major multinational enterprises, summarizing the facts alleged by the unions, the Committee's recommendations and the subsequent result, with the aim of highlighting...

Labour standards

Nicaragua ratifies the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)

Nicaragua is the second Central American country after Panama to ratify this landmark Convention

Netherlands will ratify ILO Convention on the use of Chemicals at Work

The Dutch government has agreed upon an opinion of the Dutch Social and Economic Council (SER) of 30 September 2013, declaring that it is desirable for the Netherlands to ratify the ILO Chemicals Convention No. 170.

Labour standards

Myanmar ratifies the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention

Myanmar is the 178th ILO member State to ratify this instrument, which calls for the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

Trade unions’ role in achieving decent wages

On December 17-18, Moscow hosted a subregional conference focusing on trade unions’ role in achieving decent wages. It was organized by the Pan-European Regional Council of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-PERC) and the ILO.

Labour standards

Ecuador ratifies the Domestic Workers Convention

Ecuador is the eleventh ILO member State and the fifth Latin American member State to ratify this instrument that seeks to improve the working and living conditions of tens of millions of domestic workers worldwide.

Russia-Belarus Union State creates trade union association

On December 17, 2013, trade unions of the Russia-Belarus Union State signed in Moscow a memorandum to create an association of trade unions.

Social dialogue

Better talk leads to better work

As Viet Nam prepares for a major expansion of international trade – with the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Free Trade Agreement negotiations – a new system for worker-employer relations in garment factories is helping to pave the way to improved...

Inclusion of people with disabilities in Indonesia

Indonesia faces challenges in pursuing equitable development. A disabled person is often socially excluded, and faces considerable discrimination in accessing health and other services, education, and employment.

Labour standards

Samoa ratifies the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)

Samoa joins the other Pacific Island States that have already ratified the Convention, namely, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati and Tuvalu. Samoa becomes the 53rd ILO Member State to ratify this landmark Convention.

Official visit

Ryder and Italian leaders share views on jobs for youth and migration

ILO Director-General and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano talked about the youth unemployment situation affecting the country, especially in the South.

Labour standards

Italy ratifies the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006)

Italy is the 52nd ILO Member State, and the 20th member State of the European Union, to ratify this Convention

Helping Pacific Islands to Manage Impacts of Climate Change on Migration

Under the project, the ILO will undertake a range of activities to promote and improve regional labour mobility schemes. In particular, ILO will use its technical expertise to work with Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru to improve the countries’ data...

319th Governing Body of the ILO

Interview with Luc Cortebeeck, Chair of the Workers’ Group of the ILO Governing Body

The 319th session of the ILO Governing Body recently drew to a close in Geneva. Tackled at this session were several issues concerning the economic crisis in Europe, workers’ rights and international migration. In this interview the Chair of the...

Child labour

Lebanon pledges to end the worst forms of child labour by 2016

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman announces the launch of a national action plan to eliminate child labour in its worst forms within three years.

More and better jobs

Labour standards increasingly included in bilateral and regional free trade agreements

A new ILO report shows free trade agreements with measures relating to labour standards are on the rise and recommends measures to improve their effectiveness.