How the ILO works

The International Labour Conference meets annually. It provides an International forum for discussion of world labour and social problems and sets minimum international labour standards and broad policies of the Organisation. Every two years, the Conference adopts the ILO’s biennial work programme and budget, which is financed by member States.

Each member country has the right to send four delegates to the Conference: two from the government and one each representing workers and employers, each of whom may speak and vote independently.

Between Conferences, the work of the ILO is guided by the Governing Body, comprising 28 government members and 14 workers and 14 employer members.

The International Labour Office in Geneva is the Organisation’s secretariat, operational headquarters, research centre and publishing house. Administration and management are decentralized in regional area and branch offices in more than 40 countries.

The work of the Governing Body and of the Office is aided by tripartite committees covering major industries, and by committees of experts on such matters as vocational training, management development, occupational safety and health, industrial relations, workers’ education and special problems of women and young workers.

Regional conferences of the ILO member States are held periodically to examine matters of special interest to the regions concerned.

The International Labour Office is headed by a Director-General appointed by the Governing Body. Since 1919, nine men have led the ILO: the Frenchman Albert Thomas (1919-1932), Harold Butler of Britain (1932-1938), the American John Winant (1939-1941), Edward Phelan of Ireland (1941-1948), The American David Morse (1948-1970), Wilfred Jenks of Britain (1970-1973), Francis Blanchard of France (1973-1989), Michel Hansenne, former Minister of Employment and Labour of Belgium (1989-1999), and since March 1999 Juan Somavia of Chile.