The ILO, the private sector, and strengthening workplace compliance through labour inspection

Labour inspection is one method of bringing workplace practices into line with labour legislation, labour standards, and human rights.  It is a way to secure the enforcement of legal provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers while engaged in their work, and plays an important role in ensuring that labour law is applied equally to all employers and workers.

An example of work with the private sector and labour inspection includes the past partnership with Volkswagen (VW). Within this project a number of in-depth labour inspections of suppliers lasting one or two days took place. The approach focused on an improvement process, rather than compliance control and policing. This resulted in positive changes at the supplier level with regard to the implementation of OSH standards, as well as improved cooperation with labour inspectorates.