ILO: International Labour Organization

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that labour peace is essential to prosperity. Today, the ILO helps advance the creation of decent work and the economic and working conditions that give working people and business people a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and progress.

The ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice. In 1946, the ILO became a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its unique tripartite structure gives an equal voice to workers, employers and governments providing a unique platform for promoting decent work for all women and men.

The ILO has four strategic objectives

– Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work

– Create greater opportunities for women and men to decent employment and income

– Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all, and

– Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue

In support of its goals, the ILO offers expertise and knowledge about the world of work, acquired over more than 90 years of responding to the needs of people everywhere for decent work, livelihoods and dignity. It serves its tripartite constituents -and society as a whole- in a variety of ways, including:

– Formulation of international policies and programmes to promote basic human rights, improve working and living conditions, and enhance employment opportunities

– Creation of international labour standards backed by a unique system to supervise their application

– An extensive programme of international technical cooperation formulated and implemented in an active partnership with constituents, to help countries put these policies into practice in an effective manner

– Training, education and research activities to help advance all of these efforts.

Türkiye’s relations with the ILO date back to the year of 1927. Due to the fact that Türkiye was not a member of the League of Nations then, it participated in the work of the ILO with observer status. When Türkiye became a member of the League of Nations in 1932, it also became a member of the ILO.

Türkiye was represented and participated in the work of the ILO Governing Body as a "Titular Member" in the periods 1948-51, 1954-57 and 1996-99, 2014-17, and as a "Deputy Member" in the periods 1975-78, 1987-90 and 2002-05. Türkiye was re-elected to the ILO Governing Body as a deputy member for the 2017-2020 period.

Türkiye ratified 59 of the international labour conventions, eight of which are on fundamental labour rights, and included them in its national legislation. Currently, 55 of these agreements are in force.

Relations between the Ministry and ILO

The Ministry periodically submits national reports to ILO in order to monitor the implementation of each ratified convention. Taking into consideration the possibility that Türkiye might be included in the Conference Committee on the Application of Standards with regard to any of these agreements, preparations are also made by the Ministry before the conference. The government's opinion on complaints made to the ILO against Türkiye is also prepared by the General Directorate for Foreign Relations.

Sub-Regional Conference of South-East European Countries on "Employment Strategies in the Face of Globalization" hosted by Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the International Labour Organization was held in Istanbul between 11 and 12 September 2006 and the Istanbul Declaration was accepted as a result of the conference.

The 10th European Regional Meeting of the ILO was hosted by Türkiye between 2-5 October 2017 in Istanbul. At the end of the meeting, "The Istanbul Initiative for the Centenary: Future for Decent Work for Strong and Responsible Social Partnership in Europe and Central Asia" was adopted.