"The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice by setting international labour standards."
A network of workers' organizations, including trade unions, workers' parties, and social movements, that advocate for workers' rights and social justice on a global scale.
Early Labor History: This includes the emergence of guilds and trade unions, and the rise of early labor activism in the 19th century.
Marx and Engels' Contributions: The socialist ideals of Marx and Engels playing a vital role in labor movements to recognize workers' rights to collective bargaining and better wages.
Industrial Revolution: An essential event that led to the development of international labor movements by creating widespread exploitation of workers.
American Labor Movement: It includes the struggles of American workers during the 19th and early 20th centuries and the formation of early labor organizations like the American Federation of Labor (AFL).
Labor Unions and Collective Bargaining: One of the most significant impacts of labor movements is the ability of workers to unionize and use the collective bargaining process to negotiate better working conditions, wages and benefits.
International Labor Organizations: Such as the International Labor Organization (ILO), which is a specialized agency of the United Nations working to promote social justice and improve working conditions worldwide.
Women and Labor: A significant part of labor history involves the struggles for fair treatment of women in the workplace and gender equity.
Strikes and Labor Disputes: One of the most aggressive techniques that labor movements use to accomplish their demands is strikes, protests, and boycotts.
Labor Legislation: The development of employment laws and regulations that enables workers to achieve better working conditions, wages, and safer working environments.
Global Labor Movements: Understanding the global labor movement, including the interaction between labor movements in different countries, changing economic conditions, and the increasing importance of globalized workforces, is crucial.
International Association of Machinists: Founded in 1888, the IAM is a union representing machinists and their families in North America and Europe.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union: Founded in 1900, the ILGWU was the first union to organize primarily female workers, focusing on textile and clothing industries in the United States.
International Longshoremen's Association: Founded in 1892, the ILA is a union that represents longshoremen and associated workers in North America, including dockworkers and port employees.
International Brotherhood of Teamsters: Founded in 1903, the Teamsters is a union representing employees in transportation, warehouse, and delivery industries internationally.
International Workers of the World: Founded in 1905, the IWW was a radical labor organization advocating for a unified global working class.
International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers: Founded in 1893, the Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers Union represented workers in extractive industries, such as mining and smelting.
International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco, and Allied Workers' Associations: Founded in 1920, IUF is a federation of trade unions representing workers in the agro-industrial, food, beverage, and tobacco sectors around the world.
International Federation of Journalists: Founded in 1926, the IFJ is a federation of journalist unions from around the world, promoting press freedom and media personnel's rights.
"Founded in October 1919 under the League of Nations, it is one of the first and oldest specialized agencies of the UN."
"The ILO has 187 member states: 186 out of 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands."
"It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland."
"...employs some 3,381 staff across 107 nations, of whom 1,698 work in technical cooperation programs and projects."
"The ILO's standards are aimed at ensuring accessible, productive, and sustainable work worldwide in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and dignity."
"They are set forth in 189 conventions and treaties, of which eight are classified as fundamental according to the 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work."
"Within the UN system, the organization has a unique tripartite structure: all standards, policies, and programs require discussion and approval from the representatives of governments, employers, and workers."
"This framework is maintained in the ILO's three main bodies: The International Labour Conference, the Governing Body, and the International Labour Office."
"The secretariat is led by the Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo of Togo, who was elected by the Governing Body in 2022."
"In 1969, the ILO received the Nobel Peace Prize..."
"In 2019, the organization convened the Global Commission on the Future of Work, whose report made ten recommendations for governments to meet the challenges of the 21st-century labor environment."
"...these include a universal labour guarantee, social protection from birth to old age, and an entitlement to lifelong learning."
"With its focus on international development, it is a member of the United Nations Development Group."
"The International Labour Conference, which meets annually to formulate international labour standards."
"The Governing Body serves as the executive council and decides the agency's policy and budget."
"The International Labour Office is the permanent secretariat that administers the organization and implements activities."
"The ILO is a major contributor to international labor law."
"...together they protect freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labor, the abolition of child labor, and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation."
"...a coalition of UN organizations aimed at helping meet the Sustainable Development Goals."