ILO OVERVIEW

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the United Nations agency responsible for employment and international labour issues. It is a tripartite structure that provides a forum for government, worker and employer representatives to meet as partners. Together they work towards the development and promotion of internationally recognized labour standards and social justice.

To date there are 184 ILO Conventions on subjects ranging from child labour and anti-discrimination to strikes and collective bargaining. The ILO, with over 178 member states, has virtually universal coverage. It is the only United Nations organization where business has a distinct and independent role.

How the CEC promotes and defends Canadian Employers’ interests at the ILO

  • A CEC representative is a member of the ILO Governing Body.

  • To further represent the views of Canadian employers, the CEC appoints employer delegates to attend ILO conferences and meetings. Employer delegates are volunteers who are seconded to the CEC by member organizations. Delegates are chosen on the basis of their specific skills, knowledge and expertise. The CEC ensures that delegates are equipped with the information to actively convey the views and needs of Canadian business.

  • In addition, the CEC participates regularly in special ILO meetings that are specific to certain industries or issues. As such, the CEC is very active in promoting and defending the views and interests of Canadian employers at the ILO in a diverse range of issues.

  • The CEC also maintains active dialogues with Canadian government delegates to ensure that views of Canadian business are better understood and considered in formulating the positions of the Canadian government at the ILO.

  • The CEC coordinates with other Employers’ organizations in dealings with the various branches of the ILO and the IOE.

CEC participation in ILO program initiatives

The CEC has participated in a number of important initiatives at the ILO. To name only a few, the CEC has participated in:

  •  the development of the ILO’s Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Right to Work.

  • representing employers’ interests and preparing policy positions in respect of the ILO’s development of Standards for Corporate Social Responsibility.

  • the ILO’s review and updating of its methods for labour standard setting and its adjudication and complaint resolution system.

  • assisting various provincial governments and Crown Corporations in the preparation of their defence before ILO tribunals.

More about the CEC and the ILO

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IN BRIEF

The ILO building in Geneva

Today, the ILO is an agency of the United Nations with over 170 member states representing industrialized as well as developing countries. It is the only United Nations organization where business has a distinct and independent role.

The International Labour Organization is a tripartite structure that provides a forum for government, worker and employer representatives to meet as partners. Together they work towards the development and promotion of internationally recognized labour standards and social justice.

The ILO was founded in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles, as part of the League of Nations.

For information, see www.ilo.org