Working Papers, vehicles for disseminating information on a range of topics related to the world of work and the evolution of social and labour policies and practices for a given sector, are regularly published and widely disseminated. Background reports and issues papers, which provide more in-depth analysis on specific issues, are also published for discussion at international tripartite meetings and global dialogue fora.

Publications

The Sectoral Policies Department is the ILO’s repository of knowledge on sector-specific labour and social issues. Research and studies conducted, in line with the ILO’s research policies, deal with emerging and priority issues of strong interest for ILO’s sectoral constituents.

2020

  1. © Murdani Usman/CIFOR 2022

    Briefing note

    Impact of COVID-19 on the forest sector

    14 July 2020

    The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting public health and causing unprecedented disruptions to economies and labour markets, including for workers and enterprises in the forest sector. It has exacerbated existing challenges, with many enterprises and workers suffering as a consequence. In response, governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other forestry stakeholders around the world, are collaborating to mitigate the impact of the pandemic with a view to protecting businesses and livelihoods, including through social dialogue and the promotion of international labour standards.

  2. © M. Fossat / ILO 2022

    Briefing note

    COVID-19 and the impact on agriculture and food security

    20 April 2020

    While working to feed the world, many agricultural workers are unable to lift themselves out of poverty and food insecurity. As the pandemic spreads, the continued functioning of food supply chains is crucial in preventing a food crisis and reducing the negative impact on the global economy. Coordinated policy responses are needed to support agribusiness and the livelihoods and working conditions of millions of agricultural workers in line with relevant international labour standards.

2019

  1. Infographic

    The future of work in the rural economy: More decent work to revitalize rural economies

    06 December 2019

  2. SECTOR Working Paper No. 327

    Promoting decent work in the rural economy: Lessons from Zimbabwe (2008–2018)

    02 September 2019

    This paper, a desk review, presents a documentation of ILO interventions in Zimbabwe’s rural economy during the period 2008–18 that also extracts lessons learnt.

2016

  1. Publication

    Sectoral Studies on Decent Work in Global Supply Chains

    06 April 2016

    Comparative Analysis of Good Practices by Multinational Enterprises in Promoting Decent Work in Global Supply Chains

2011

  1. Publication

    Safety and Health in Agriculture. Code of practice

    28 November 2011

    This code of practice is intended to raise awareness of the hazards and risks associated with agriculture and promote their effective management and control; to help prevent occupational accidents and diseases and improve the working environment in practice; to encourage governments, employers, workers and other stakeholders to cooperate to prevent accidents and diseases; and to promote more positive attitudes and behaviour towards occupational safety and health in agriculture throughout the sector.

  2. Publication

    Decent Work for Food Security: An ILO Sectoral Programme

    01 November 2011

2006

  1. Publication

    Evaluation Report: Action Programme on Decent Work in Agriculture

    01 September 2006

2003

  1. Publication

    Decent work in agriculture

    15 September 2003