What is the ILO and what is its importance?

The ILO, International Labor Organization is the agency that is in charge of everything that is related to the labor system worldwide. It is responsible for promoting labor rights, providing better employment opportunities, strengthen social protection and promote dialogue in everything that comprises the relations of job.

The division of the ILO structure, gives the same rights to governments, employers and workers, when it comes to ensuring that the different opinions of all these partners are reflected with total fidelity to the regulations that comprise the work and the modifications of the policies and the different programs.

This agency can be in charge of developing and observing, in a supervised manner, the use of international labor standards, which can be converted into conventions and recommendations. These standards can cover all labor aspects of the world and can also reach establish the basic principles and rights in order to give citizens the guarantee of a decent employment.

How is the ILO structured?

The headquarters of this organization is located in Geneva, Switzerland, despite this it contains a wide area of ​​operation comprised by more than 187 different countries. Its structure is governed by a tripartite government, made up of some representatives of different governments, labor unions and various employers' associations, so that all parties that may be affected in labor relations are there represented.

It contains a Board of Directors that works as its executive body, also an International Conference of the Labor, which usually meets every year and functions as a supreme body, does not have a president, but a director general.

Their job is to work on the mediation system that may exist between workers and employers and thus defend everything which includes labor law, this work promoted the ILO so that it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969.

Objective of the ILO

The work of this organization works around its Job program. It aims to promote employment, social dialogue, social and labor rights and social protection at the international level.

Today, the work and productive employment promoted by this organization are focused on the application of favorable strategies of development that may be capable of reducing the level of poverty, within the prospects of meeting development objectives labor.

Its main working mechanisms are established under the supervision of international labor standards, the search and dissemination of information and the presentation of technical assistance. The main objectives of the scope of activities include the following:

• The elimination of child labor and exploitation.
• The operation of technical cooperation programs.
• Consider the social dimensions of globalization.
• Induce respect for basic principles.
• Monitoring of the work regulations and compliance with the agreements.
• Execution of labor migration.

History of the ILO

This body was founded at the beginning of the 20th century, with its first general director Albert Thomas, a French socialist politician. The emergence of this innovative body provided the guarantee of improving working conditions exactly as they already did. had been doing the International Association for the Legal Protection of Workers, this association was founded in the year of 1901.

This type of movement was carried out, due to the need to organize the different labor potentialities involved, from the profound changes that arose in society due to Capitalism and the Revolution Industrial.

This significantly influenced the various parties and groups of workers, unions and workers, who still continue to fight today, achieving notable advances in the matter labor.

ILO specific considerations

Among the more specific considerations are:

• Regulation of working hours, contains the maximum duration and week of the working day.
• Protection of the employee in case of contracting any illness or having an accident due to work consequences.
• Old-age or disability pension benefit, protection of the interests of employees working abroad.
• Recognize the principles of freedom of association.
• Regulation of labor contracts, the payment of a living wage and the prevention of lack of employment.
• Maximum protection for children, adolescents and women.
• Recognize the principles of equal pay under equal conditions.
• Facilitate and organize professional teachings, measures and related techniques.

Functions of the ILO

This organization is fundamentally dedicated to originating the job creation, provide the necessary protection to protect employee rights and promote and favorable social dialogue between the parties that are involved, to maintain harmony and well-being. In this sense, the following main functions can be mentioned:

Principles and rights of the worker

These principles have the ability to defend acquired rights and the prosecution of labor illegality that is related to slavery and child exploitation.

Reproduction of employment

Another function is to promote the growth of the labor system and agreements that benefit employers and especially workers.

Social protection

This protection is based on the defense of employees in relation to their health, occupational risks, insurance coverage, among others.

Social dialogue

Maintain cordiality, harmony and peace between all parties involved. Prevent taking advantage of the efforts and weaknesses of other people.

Importance of the ILO

International worker standards, statements, policies, the results of the control system, resolutions, initiatives, programs and sectoral meetings of the organization, may have a direct or indirect impact on discussions and national debates highlighting the policies and regulations found within daily management and projections future business.

Due to all this, it is of great importance that companies, through their organizations that represent, seek ways to play a central leadership role and guide political work and the ILO techniques that influence these companies.

The purpose of this is to ensure that the priorities and needs of the company that contain activities in various areas and economic sectors, are fully reflected in the technical work and policies of the International Organization for Job.