Regular
supervision

International labour standards (ILS) are backed by a unique supervisory system comprised of independent legal experts and tripartite bodies

Regular supervision supports member States in giving effect to ILS in pursuit of decent work and sustainable development.

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Special
procedures

International labour standards (ILS) are backed by a unique supervisory system comprised of independent legal experts and tripartite bodies

The special procedures enable constituents to raise with the ILO alleged shortcomings in the manner States give effect to ILS or realize the fundamental principles of the ILO.

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  • Regular Supervision

    International labour standards (ILS) are backed by a unique supervisory system comprised
    of independent legal experts and tripartite bodies

    Regular supervision supports member States in giving effect to ILS in pursuit of decent work and sustainable development.

    Regular Supervision

    With reports on new ILS, on unratified Conventions and on Recommendations

    Article 19

    Member States report on the consideration they give to implementing ILS that are newly adopted by the International Labour Conference, as well as those early adopted.

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    Regular Supervision

    With reports on ratified Conventions

    Article 22

    Governments report on the measures they take to implement Conventions they have ratified.

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  • Special procedures

    International labour standards (ILS) are backed by a unique supervisory system comprised
    of independent legal experts and tripartite bodies

    The special procedures enable constituents to raise with the ILO alleged shortcomings in the manner States give effect to ILS or realize the fundamental principles of the ILO.

    Special procedures

    With representations and complaints on ratified Conventions

    Articles 24 and 26

    ILO constituents are able to bring allegations of inadequate observance of Conventions that have been ratified.

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    Special procedures

    With complaints to the CFA

    Freedom of association and collective bargaining are among the fundamental principles of the ILO. Their respect is implicit in membership in the Organization. ILO constituents thus have available to them a procedure for alleging violations of these principles, regardless of ratification of the relevant Conventions.

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The ILO supervisory system: A GUIDE FOR CONSTITUENTS

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Copyright © 2021 ILO International Labour Standards Department. All Rights Reserved.

Since 1919, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has established and developed a system of international labour standards (ILS) governing a wide range of issues arising in the world of work on a daily basis, and a unique supervisory system advancing the effective implementation of ILS at the national level.

The ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work (2019) reaffirmed that the setting, promotion, ratification and supervision of ILS is of fundamental importance to the Organization. This requires the ILO, in its second centenary, to have and promote a clear, robust, up-to-date body of ILS and ensure their effective application is subject to a transparent, authoritative and effective system of supervision. ILS need to respond to the changing patterns of the world of work, for the purpose of the protection of workers and taking into account the needs of sustainable enterprises. The ILO must assist its member States in the ratification and effective application of ILS.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not suspended the application of ILS, which have remained the tried-and-trusted foundation for policy responses also in times of crisis. As the focus shifts to a human-centred recovery from the COVID-19 crisis that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient, respect for ILS, and promotion of their ratification, implementation and supervision should be reinforced. In a Global Call to Action (2021) for such human-centred recovery, governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations collectively committed to paying particular attention to areas where serious gaps have been revealed by the crisis.

Inspired by this vision, this Guide presents the functioning of the supervisory system in relation to the application of ILS. It hopes to realize transparency in established practices across the supervisory system, thus ensuring a level playing field of knowledge for governments, employers, workers and their organizations. Since tripartism is an integral aspect of the system of supervision, the Guide does not only explain the main steps of each procedure, but also provides details on each step from the perspective of each group of constituents.

The Guide is an evolving tool, which will be updated regularly to reflect the evolution of the supervisory system for achieving progress and social justice.