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Labour law
Labour law comprises the body of legislation, statutes, and regulations that establish the rights and obligations of employers and workers, both individually and collectively. Labour laws are essential to a country’s economic stability, forming the foundation for decent work and sustainable development. International labour standards play a crucial role in shaping national labour and employment frameworks, promoting fair, inclusive, and rights-based workplaces.
Assisting ILO member states with reforming their labour law is a core function of the International Labour Office, as set out in Article 10(2) of the ILO Constitution.
Key Areas of Reform
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The employment relationship
Thematic page
Employment protection
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Non-standard forms of employment
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Working time and work organization
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Safety and health at work
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Gender equality
Key Resources
Defining and regulating work relations for the future of work
Working Paper No. 52, "Addressing labour market segmentation: The role of labour law"
International Labour Review - Centenary Collection (2021)
Centenary Issue No. 5: Labour Law
Labour regulation and development: Socio-legal perspectives
Journal article
Not as simple as it seems: the ILO and the personal scope of International Labour Standards
Labour law and worker protection in developing countries
Publications et documents
September 2026
PROSPECTS Partnership Factsheets
Combating child labour in Egypt
Code of conduct for the training and employment of children: Guidance for companies and enterprises in Egypt
Resources
Resources on International Labour Standards
Actualités et articles
Social protection
SOLAR II advances rights of coffee, tea, and forestry workers in Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Labour standards
Guyana reviews labour laws for a changing world of work
Projets
Forced labour
Promoting responsive institutions and mechanisms to eliminate forced labour in the Philippines (PRIME PH)
Vision Zero Fund
Improving OSH and social conditions for women and men in coffee farmer communities in Indonesia
Comply with Fundamental Rights at Work in Costa Rica
Contact us
For more information or to reach out to our team and global network of experts, please contact the ILO’s Labour Law Reform and Access to Labour Justice Team (LABOURLAW) at [email protected].
Related content
Topic portal
Safety and health at work
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Social dialogue and tripartism
Better Work Branch (BETTERWORK)
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Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
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Labour inspection
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Labour administration
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Collective bargaining and labour relations
Regulating for Decent Work Network
Thematic page
The Protection of Wages
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Labour dispute prevention and resolution
Thematic page
The employment relationship
Thematic page
Employment protection