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Investing in decent work for social justice

Making the case for funding partnerships with the ILO

Yet, shockingly, as of 2022, a staggering

205 million people remained unemployed worldwide

205 million is roughly equivalent to the entire population of a country like Brazil (216.4 million)

Even for those fortunate enough to secure work

Over 60% are in the informal sector, often grappling with precarious job conditions

The looming specter of climate-related risks and instability only adds to the economic uncertainty. Tragically, these challenges are compounded by policies that have left

Over 4 billion people without any safety nets for protection

4.000.000.000

Decent work isn’t just a buzzword

It’s the linchpin of sustainable development. It’s the embodiment of a people-centric approach, championing human well-being and social justice. This vision is not just an ideal but a reality, deeply integrated into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It's about investing in the hopes, dreams, and dignity of individuals worldwide.

An enduring commitment

The heart of our mission is rooted in the belief that universal peace can only flourish on the foundation of social justice.

This conviction has guided the ILO since its inception, propelling the organization toward the ultimate goal of improving labour conditions. Its initial pact, anchored in the principle of freedom of association, fostered a unique system of governance. It brought governments, employers, and workers together under one banner to tackle the issues that the ILO still works on today: unacceptable working conditions, widespread insecurity, deprivation, and industrial unrest. Tripartism, a novel concept in its day, swiftly became a time-tested approach, bringing us closer to the realization of social justice.

Development cooperation is a key means of action that helps to improve peoples’ livelihoods and produce decent and productive jobs. Investing in the ILO is not only a strategic decision but also a commitment to fostering equitable societies and sustainable development.

Tripartite structure

The UN Secretary-General’s report Our Common Agenda includes a resounding call for a renewed social contract grounded in human rights at the national level. While many voices echo this call, there’s a diversity of perspectives on what this renewed social contract should entail.

The ILO, with its unique tripartite composition and role as a normative institution, holds a pivotal position in shaping and rejuvenating these arrangements. This distinct approach empowers the ILO to emphasize priorities, promote social justice, and facilitate the renewal of the social contract through social dialogue.

Historically, even in situations where opposing viewpoints seemed insurmountable and tough decisions inevitable, governments, employers’, and workers’ organizations have found common ground through social dialogue. The tripartite agreements that emerge from these dialogues has proven invaluable in building trust, ensuring inclusivity, and effectively implementing subsequent policies. This governance model has been instrumental in upholding fundamental workers’ rights, nurturing functional labour market institutions, and creating conducive conditions for job creation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

Multi-stakeholder powerhouse

The ILO’s approach to promoting decent work is built on a foundation of multi-stakeholder engagement. It engages governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations from its 187 Member States, as well as with the United Nations and other development partners. As the ILO rallies expertise, resources, and perspectives from a wide spectrum of sectors around the common goal of social justice and decent work, it becomes a more potent force for change and progress.

Social justice, a fundamental pillar of more cohesive multilateralism, is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of decent work for sustainable development. The ILO provides a vital avenue for reinforcing tripartism and social dialogue within a connected multilateral system.

governmentsworker’s organizationsUnited NationsEmployersDevelopment partners

Championing International Labour Standards

At the heart of the ILO’s mission lies its role as the UN agency that sets and promotes international labour standards. These standards serve as a blueprint for fostering social justice and ensuring fair working conditions worldwide. By setting norms that respect human rights, promote gender equality, and uphold dignified work, the ILO guides governments, employers, and workers toward creating inclusive, safe, and respectful work environments. This not only ensures tripartite cooperation but also contributes to the overall development and stability of nations.

Simultaneously, it underscores the importance of translating these rights into legislation, policies, and national institutions. This translation ensures not only effective access to public services but also the realization of enabling rights, such as the freedom of association, thus securing a more equitable and just society. One of the key ways the ILO is able to carry out this work is through development cooperation.

Our partners for social justice

The ILO’s mission to advance decent work is made possible through the support of a diverse array of funding partners, encompassing various categories. These partners – which include bilateral funding partners, the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations, domestic funding providers, private/non-state actors such as enterprises, foundations and universities, and international financial institutions (IFIs) – play a pivotal role in the ILO’s development cooperation initiatives.

Financial support allows the ILO to carry out crucial projects in over 140 countries and territories. Governments that provide official development assistance are key contributors, providing about 65% of all voluntary contributions to the ILO, complementing the fees paid by Member States.

The ILO’s collaboration with development partners extend beyond financial support. It involves close alignment of policy actions, backed by the necessary resources and capacities. South-South and triangular cooperation is an important modality to facilitate exchanges among peers. Through these concerted efforts, the ILO works alongside its partners to promote decent work as a fundamental human right and an integral aspect of social justice, integrating it into broader development agendas on a global scale.

In this collective endeavor, the ILO acts as a central hub, bringing together funding partners and constituents for a common goal - improving working conditions and prospects for people around the globe. This collaborative network ensures that the principles of decent work are upheld and that inclusive and equitable societies are nurtured worldwide.

Investing for global impact

Funding the ILO is an investment in decent work, a fundamental component of sustainable development and a key driver across all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In doing so, the ILO and its partners ensure a brighter future for employers, workers, societies, and economies worldwide. With its tripartite structure fostering collaboration, multi-stakeholder partnerships driving change, and international labour standards promoting fairness and human dignity, the ILO stands as an indispensable catalyst for progress.

As the world faces global challenges like climate change and conflict, the ILO upholds that the best solutions lie in the transformation of people’s lives through the power of decent work and unwavering commitment to social justice. No matter who or where they are, the ILO envisions a future where every individual can find hope, purpose, and a better life through dignified employment and a fair society.

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The ILO is funded through a combination of assessed and voluntary contributions. These resources support the advancement of ILO decent work priorities established at both the country, regional and global levels in consultation with its constituents and outlined in its biennial Programme and Budget and in decent work country programmes. Voluntary contributions, constituting almost half of the total budget, allow the ILO to make positive changes in people’s lives.

Our thematic areas

Fostering a just transition

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Achieving decent work in supply chains

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Enhancing decent work in crisis contexts

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Improving social protection coverage for all

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Eradicating child labour and forced labour

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Promoting gender equality for all

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Enabling lifelong learning and skills development

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Investing in the ILO promotes decent work, aligns with sustainable development goals, and serves as a catalyst for global progress.

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Join the Global Coalition for Social Justice

Take a closer look at the ILO’s development cooperation landscape.