2.What do unions do at the ILO?

standard-setting system and, together with local unions, use the mechanisms of its supervisory system and the technical assistance tools of the International Labour Office. How do trade unions actually engage at the ILO? In 2. below, we provide some information on the ILO’s forums and mechanisms used by trade unions in their representation and advocacy work, which will be further explained in the guide units that follow.

2. What do unions do at the ILO?

Trade unions have played a leading role in the ILO since its creation in 1919, and continue to be its driving force today.8 Trade unions participate in the ILO through various spaces and mechanisms. Below is a diagram presenting the different forms of trade union participation in the ILO.

FORMS OF TRADE UNION PARTICIPATION IN THE ILO

Participation in the ILO Governing Body

Participation in the International Labour Conference

Use of International Labour Office tools Participation in the process of elaboration and adoption of standards

Participation in the standards review procedure

Participation in the procedure for the repeal and withdrawal of standards Participation in the composition of the supervisory bodies

Participation in the regular monitoring procedures of the ILO

Use of ILO special monitoring resources Use of international labour standards

Use of pronouncements of the supervisory bodies

8. TAPIOLA, Kari. ILO. The Driving Force Birth and Evolution of Tripartism - The Role of the ILO Workers' Group. Geneva: ILO, 2019. Available: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_dialogue/---actrav/documents/publication/wcms_710908.pdf

ILO Structure.

Trade unions are one of the "constituents" of the ILO. Trade unions are directly represented in two of the central bodies of the ILO's tripartite structure (the Governing Body and the International Labour Conference) and, together with the representation of governments and employers, set its political and legal orientation. How trade union participation in the ILO structure takes place will be described in Unit 2of this Guide.

Resources of the ILO Office

Trade unions can use the resources that the International Labour Office makes available and which are useful for trade union work. The various tools that the Office makes available will be described inUnit 3.

ILO Standards System

Trade unions can participate in the various processes of the ILO standards system. Within the framework of the ILO, trade unions are able to participate in the development of new international standards. As will be seen in Unit 4, the standards system includes procedures for the elaboration and adoption of international labor standards, as well as procedures for their revision and withdrawal.

ILO supervisory system

Trade unions can participate in the ILO supervisory system and use its resources to denounce violations of rights regulated by international labor standards. Several of the supervisory bodies have a tripartite composition. As will be seen in Unit 5, trade unions have several mechanisms at their disposal with which to periodically review compliance with international labor standards and to denounce specific cases of violations of rights.

Use of ILO standards at the national level

As will be seen in Unit 7, trade unions can use ILO instruments at the national level to demand spaces for dialogue and participation, promote labor reforms, sustain allegations before judicial tribunals, design strategies and public policy proposals, or expand rights through collective bargaining.