3. How are ILO mechanisms used? As identified above, the ILO has a wide range of policy and legal tools that trade unions can use to defend and promote workers' rights. These tools have special features that trade
unions should take into account once they participate in the ILO and use them at the national level. Here are some elements to consider:
Political legitimacy of the ILO’s international instruments The ILO relies on tripartite bodies, with a high level of institutional and political representation, and independent and technical bodies, with a high level of specialization in a number of world-of-work topics. The ILO is a space for social dialogue and a mechanism for building consensus. By using the international instruments of the ILO, trade unions can benefit from the unique political and legal support that this organization affords to their legitimacy and validity.
Protective nature of the international instruments of the ILO International labor standards are minimum protective floors, not ceilings. National legislation may go beyond what is established by international labor standards, as long as it is in favor of the rights of individuals and groups protected by its provisions. This is an important feature that trade unions can highlight in contexts where the protection provided by international labor standards is being reduced.
Relationship between ILO bodies, mechanisms and procedures ILO bodies, mechanisms and procedures are connected and closely related. By participating in the bodies of the ILO structure (the Governing Body and the International Labour Conference), trade unions have the potential to strengthen the ILO's standard setting and supervisory system. When using the ILO supervisory system, it is important to remember that the different procedures of regular and special control have a relationship with each other and can be used complementarily.
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PRACTICAL GUIDE TO TRADE UNION ACTION AT THE ILO
