The ILO and Human Rights

Abstract

Although most frequently linked to rights related to labor , the IL 0 is centrally concerned with broader issues of human rights. As expressed in the Philadelphia Declaration of 1944, the ILO defends the right of all persons to pursue their material and spiritual well-being in "conditions offreedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity. " The IL 0 has established more than 300 Conventions and Recommendations to protect the freedom of association and collective bargaining, to eliminate forced labor, and to promote equal opportunity, economic security andfreedom from want. The tri-partite IL 0 structure fosters consensus and deliberation between member governments, labor groups, and employer organizations which facilitates implementation of standards adopted Enforcement and supervision of IL 0 Conventions and Recommendations derive from obligations of member nations to report periodicall, on progress in implementation. Special committees and procedures of the ILO help facilitate compliance. Continued extension o/the ILO standard-setting processes willfurther progress towardfreedom from want. These early pronouncements indicated the ILO's concern for the entire family of man, and clearly charted its future direction. Simply stated, the ILO was established to unite governments, employers and workers so they might act together to promote social justice. It set in motion a program for establishing international Conventions and Recommendations and provided a quasi-legal frame