ILO Conventions & Recommendations

"The failure of any nation to adopt humane conditions of labour is an obstacle in the way of other nations which desire to improve the conditions in their own countries."

ILO Conventions and Recommendations are the tools used to help nations improve the conditions of labour in their own countries. Conventions are international treaties, subject to ratification by ILO member States. Recommendations are non-binding instruments - typically dealing with the same subjects as Conventions - which set out guidelines which can orient national policy and action.

Both are intended to have a concrete impact on working conditions and practices in every country of the world. Together, they are referred to as the ILO International Labour Standards. There are 185 Conventions and 194 Recommendations.

Through the ratification of Conventions, countries recognise these universally accepted goals and rules as legally binding. Once ratified, a member State formally undertakes to make the provisions of the Convention effective both in national law and practice. The standards promoted in the Convention become incorporated into national law and use the legal procedures in that state to uphold them. A supervisory process continues to ensure that Conventions are being adequately promoted.