Informal forms of international labour standards

Multinational enterprises

The Governing Body's Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy is perhaps the most well known of the "informal" international labour standards.

Resolutions and conclusions

In addition to Conventions and Recommendations, there are resolutions and conclusions agreed by various ILO organs, such as the International Labour Conference (ILC), technical committees of experts, special conferences, bodies set up to cover specific sectors (industrial committees, Joint Maritime Commission, etc.), and regional conferences and technical meetings in Asia and the Pacific, the Americas, Africa and Europe.

These resolutions and conclusions take various forms. These differ considerably in their content. Some cover basic principles, while others are of a very technical nature. They also differ as to the weight given to them in practice. A resolution or conclusions adopted by the International Labour Conference necessarily carry the highest authority.

In general, resolutions and conclusions respond to specific situations and needs, which makes them particularly valuable when planning the ILO's technical cooperation activities.

Learn more about technical cooperation and international labour standards

They may cover specific categories of workers or deal in a detailed manner with particular technical themes, sometimes including new definitions and concepts, and the most recent socioeconomic developments on which the Organization expresses itself. Often, such resolutions and conclusions refer directly to relevant international labour standards, giving both the international labour standards referred to and the document mentioning the international labour standards a fresh, sometimes new, emphasis.

A list of some titles of resolutions adopted by the International Labour Conference between 1984 and 1999 may suggest their relevance to international labour standards.

A. On fundamental rights

• 1999 - The widespread use of forced labour in Mynamar

B. On technical cooperation

• 1993 - The role of the ILO in technical cooperation
• 1987 - The role of the ILO in technical cooperation
• 1984 - The strengthening of action for the least developed countries

C. On general policy relating to development

• 1996 - Tripartite consultation at the national level on economic and social policy
• 1994 - The 75th anniversary of the ILO and its future
• 1994 - Concerning the World Summit for Social Development
• 1993 - Social protection and the alleviation of unemployment and poverty, and the social dimension of structural adjustment and transition to a market economy
• 1992 - Employment promotion as an essential component of overall development
• 1992 - The role of enterprises in employment growth and the creation of full, productive and freely chosen employment
• 1991 - Structural adjustment, industrial relations and economic and social development
• 1990 - Environment, development, employment and the role of the ILO
• 1986 - Development, foreign debt and the social objectives of the ILO
• 1984 - The contribution of the ILO to production and productivity improvement, with special reference to developing countries, oriented towards greater social and economic development

D. Of a technical nature

• 1996 - Employment policies in a global context
• 1984 - Employment policy

• 1990 - Self-employment promotion

• 1988 - Rural employment

• 1991 - The application of modern agricultural technology

• 1986 - Promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises

• 1992 - Adjustment and human resources development
• 1986 - Workers' access to education and the role of the ILO

• 1994 - The role of private employment agencies in the functioning of labour markets

• 1984 - Improvement of working conditions and environment

• 1993 - Exposure to and safety in the use of biological agents at work
• 1989 - Harmonization of system of classification and Labeling for the use of hazardous chemicals at work
• 1987 - Measures against drug and alcohol abuse in working and social life
• 1986 - The development of preventive and protective measures related to the health risks associated with occupational exposure to fibres, whether natural or artificial
• 1985 - The promotion of measures against risks and accidents arising out of the use of dangerous substances and processes in industry

E. Relating to specific categories of workers

• 1991 - ILO action for women workers
• 1985 - Equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women in employment

• 1989 - ILO action concerning indigenous and tribal peoples

• 1992 - The role of the ILO in the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers and their families

• 1996 - Elimination of child labour
• 1986 - Young people
• 1998 - Youth employment

Guidelines

Finally, some work of the ILO's technical departments involve further developing, amplifying and adding detail (for purposes of technical assistance) to international labour standards. The result often comes in the form of "guidelines" which provide important practical ideas about the implementation of international labour standards in sometimes very technical fields. For example, in the maritime sector, guidelines have been produced for maritime industry labour legislation and inspection of labour conditions on board ship. There are also many useful guidelines produced in the occupational safety and health area.

Illustrative list of these guidelines