Module-II: International Labour Organization (ILO) and its Role
1. International Labour Organization and its Role
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations
that was established in 1919, with the objective of promoting social justice and fair labor
practices around the world. The ILO is known for setting international labor standards,
developing policies, and creating programs that promote workers' rights and well-being globally.
● Key Objectives of the ILO:
○ Promote Social Justice and Fair Labour Practices: Ensuring that work is fair
and just for all, regardless of geographical location or economic status.
○ Advocate for Fundamental Rights at Work: These include the right to freedom
of association, the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or
compulsory labor, the abolition of child labor, and the elimination of discrimination
in employment.
○ Develop and Implement International Labour Standards: Through
conventions and recommendations, the ILO establishes minimum standards for
working conditions across the world.
○ Promote Sustainable Economic Development: By fostering decent work and
ensuring social protection, the ILO helps contribute to more inclusive and
sustainable economic development.
● Functions of the ILO:
○ Standard-setting: The ILO adopts international conventions and
recommendations to set minimum standards for labor practices across its
member states. These conventions cover a wide range of issues including child
labor, forced labor, working conditions, wage rates, and social security.
○ Monitoring and Reporting: The ILO monitors the implementation of conventions
by its member states. It provides technical assistance, advisory services, and
reports to countries on compliance.
○ Promoting Dialogue: The ILO acts as a platform for dialogue between
governments, employers, and workers to help resolve industrial relations conflicts
and promote labor rights.
2. Tripartite Approach to Industrial Relations
The ILO's unique tripartite structure is one of the key features that distinguishes it from other
international organizations. The tripartite system involves the active participation of three key
stakeholders in labor and industrial relations:
● Employee Unions (Workers' Representatives):
○ These are organizations formed to represent the interests of workers, protecting
their rights and negotiating for better wages, working conditions, and benefits.
○ Unions play a crucial role in ensuring that workers' voices are heard at the
workplace, and they actively participate in the legislative processes related to
labor laws and standards.
○ They also engage in collective bargaining with employers to reach agreements
on wages, working conditions, and other terms of employment.
● Employer Unions (Employers' Representatives):
○ These are organizations that represent the interests of employers in the
workplace. They work to promote the business and industrial goals of employers
while ensuring that labor laws and regulations are adhered to.
○ Employers' unions play a significant role in setting labor policies, advocating for
business-friendly laws, and working in collaboration with worker unions and the
government to maintain industrial peace and productivity.
○ They provide a platform for employers to negotiate collectively with unions and
manage relations with their workforce in a structured manner.
● Labour Department of the Government (Government Representatives):
○ Governments play a critical role in industrial relations by regulating labor laws,
ensuring compliance, and mediating disputes between employees and
employers.
○ The government, through various ministries or departments (such as the Ministry
of Labour and Employment in India), creates labor policies and provides social
protections like healthcare, pensions, and unemployment benefits.
○ The government also ensures that labor standards are met and that the rights of
workers and employers are protected. It is responsible for implementing
international labor conventions adopted by the ILO and ensuring compliance
within the national context.
3. The Tripartite Structure in Practice
The tripartite approach involves collaboration and dialogue between the three parties:
● The ILO Governing Body brings together representatives of governments, employers,
and workers, allowing all parties to have a say in the formulation and implementation of
international labor standards.
● Through International Labour Conferences (ILC), where delegates from the three
parties discuss, debate, and adopt conventions and recommendations, the ILO
strengthens the role of industrial relations stakeholders in shaping global labor practices.
● National governments, under the ILO framework, often adopt conventions into their
domestic laws, creating a coherent system for labor rights enforcement.
4. Importance of the Tripartite Approach
● Balanced Policy Making: The tripartite approach ensures that labor policies are
balanced, fair, and take into account the perspectives of all the involved stakeholders. By
ensuring that employers, employees, and the government all have input, the ILO helps
create policies that promote social justice and industrial harmony.
● Preventing Industrial Disputes: Through dialogue and negotiation, the three parties
work to resolve disputes before they escalate into strikes or other forms of industrial
unrest.
● Promoting Sustainable Development: This approach helps to ensure that economic
growth and development go hand in hand with the protection of workers’ rights and fair
labor practices, contributing to more sustainable and inclusive development.
The ILO and its tripartite approach to industrial relations have played an essential role in
shaping global labor standards and improving working conditions. By balancing the interests of
workers, employers, and governments, the ILO has contributed significantly to the development
of fair labor laws and practices, ensuring a more equitable global workforce.
