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. © Mwasalat 2022

    Briefing note

    COVID-19 and Urban Passenger Transport Services

    05 October 2020

    The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unparalleled consequences to urban passenger transport services. The impact on the different urban mobility modes is widespread but a common denominator has been the decline of ridership across all modes. Urban transport workers are serving those who serve: hospital, care and other critical service workers. Yet, they can find themselves at the forefront of service provision during the pandemic and may be at high risk of illness. This policy brief seeks to summarize the issues relating to COVID-19 and urban passenger transport workers. The brief discusses the mains impacts of the pandemic in the sector. It also includes information on the tripartite and sectoral measures that employers, workers and governments have taken to support the sector and its workers, and on the ILO’s principles and tools, including international labour standards.

  2. © Elegant Mob Films 2022

    Briefing note

    COVID-19 and road transport

    03 June 2020

    The road transport sector is essential to social and economic development and guarantees mobility across jurisdictions and countries. But in order to curb the spread of COVID-19, many countries around the world have placed restrictions on domestic transit and/or closed border crossings for road freight transport services. Urgent action by governments, the social partners and parties to road transport supply chain parties – including shippers, receivers, transport buyers and intermediaries – will be critical in addressing decent work challenges for these key workers to tackle the crisis effectively.

  3. © Bas Bogers 2022

    Briefing note

    COVID-19 and civil aviation

    12 April 2020

    To curb the spread of COVID-19, a combination of flight cancellations and restrictions have almost entirely halted international travel. The impact of the pandemic on employment has been immediate and significant. Cost-reduction strategies may include a wide range of policies that will have an impact on employment and decent work in the civil aviation sector. The ILO has accumulated experience from previous crisis situations to help the sector recover from this shock.

  4. Publication

    Women and aviation: Quality jobs, attraction and retention

    31 March 2020

    The paper includes information on some of the current issues faced by women in civil aviation.

2018

  1. Publication

    Back to the Future: Challenges and opportunities for the future of work addressed in ILO sectoral meetings since 2010

    10 May 2018

    This working paper summarises how issues directly related to the future of work have been discussed by ILO constituents in sectoral meetings held since 2010, as further material for reflection by the Global Commission on the Future of Work, as it carries out its important and ambitious programme of work. It has also been prepared to inform and inspire ILO constituents in specific sectors, who in recent years have launched their own debates and exchanges at national, regional and global levels on the future of work.

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

  2. Publication

    Social Dialogue in the Railways Sector

    08 February 2016

    The scope of this manual is conflict prevention, thus involving the preparation and identification of different steps and processes for social dialogue with an emphasis on the railways sector.

2015

  1. Publication

    Priority safety and health issues in the road transport sector

    09 September 2015

    Report for discussion at the Tripartite Sectoral Meeting on Safety and Health in the Road Transport Sector (Geneva, 12–16 October 2015)

2013

  1. Publication

    Promoting the employment of women in the transport sector - obstacles and policy options

    20 December 2013

    This study focuses on the working conditions and the HR policies of transport companies designed to mainstream gender, the opportunities for success and advancement, and the barriers faced by women who work in the transport sector.