Its long and diverse work in the setting and monitoring of labor standards in the workplace has provided the framework of international labor standards and guidelines that have been adopted in national legislation in virtually all countries as well. The ILO is guided by the principle that social stability and integration can be sustained only if they are based on social justice, particularly the right to employment with fair compensation in a healthy workplace. Through ratification by member states, Conventions create binging obligations to put their provisions into effect.
Recommendations provide guidance on policy, legislation and practice.
Over the years, the Governments of member states and their employers' and workers' organizations have built up a system of international standards in all work-related matters. Some 183 Conventions and 191 Recommendations have been adopted on work-related matters. They cover basic human rights, labor administration, industrial relations, employment policy, working conditions social security, occupational safety and health, employment of women, children and special categories. ILO assistance to efforts at job creation has been made more urgent by the steady rise in poverty linked to unemployment and underemployment during the last decade. ILO provides research, analysis and advice to assist policy-makers and tripartite constituents to make the right choices and formulate optimal strategies in the effort to create more and better jobs.