International Labour Organisation
On 11 April 1919, at the Versailles Peace Conference that ended the First World War, the founding of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was approved. The work of the organisation is based on the ILO Constitution and other legal instruments.
The ILO is the only international organisation in the world that specialises in labour and social relations, and acts by bringing together three parties – governments, employers and workers. This makes the organisation a unique forum where 187 member states can discuss labour standards and policies in trilateral cooperation. The ILO is dedicated to advancing social justice and internationally recognised human rights, as well as labour rights.
The four main strategic goals of ILO are as follows:
- improving and applying labour standards, and fundamental principles and rights
- creating better opportunities for women and men for decent work and income
- improving the coverage and efficiency of social protection for everyone
- bolstering tripartism and social dialogue
Estonia was a member of the ILO in 1921-1937 and restored its membership on 13 January 1992. The Permanent Representation of Estonia in Geneva is cooperating in the area of labour with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. See also Estonia’s country profile in the ILO database.