International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that promotes the welfare of workers. About 180 countries belong to the ILO. In 1969, the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work.
The chief policymaking body of the ILO is called the International Labour Conference. This conference meets yearly and establishes international labor standards covering such matters as child labor, job discrimination, and worker safety. Each member sends four delegates, two from government and one each from labor and management. The delegates speak and vote independently.
Between conferences, the ILO is supervised by its Governing Body, which consists of 28 government representatives, 14 labor delegates, and 14 management delegates. The permanent staff of the ILO is called the International Labour Office. The staff includes administrative and clerical employees and technical experts. The International Labour Office conducts research, publishes labor information, and provides technical assistance to developing nations. ILO headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
The ILO was established in 1919 as an independent agency of the League of Nations, a world organization that worked to maintain peace. The ILO became part of the UN after the League was dissolved in 1946.
During the 1970’s, the United States delegation became increasingly dissatisfied with the direction and operations of the ILO. In 1977, after giving the required two years’ notice, the United States withdrew from the ILO. The ILO lost about a fourth of its budget due to the withdrawal of U.S. contributions. The United States rejoined in 1980, saying that ILO officials had returned the organization to its original purposes.
