International Labour Organization (ILO) is an United Nations agency. It was founded in October 1919. It has 187 member states. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.

• Current Director-general – Gilbert Houngbo.
• ILO’s first conference took place in 1919.
• Recently, 111th session of the ILO Conference took place in June 2023.

Structure of ILO

• It has a tripartite governing structure that brings together governments, employers, and workers of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
• Governing Body is the executive body of theILO.
  • It meets three times a year, in March, June and November.
  • Composed of 56 titular members (28 governments, 14 employers and 14 workers) and 66 deputy members (28 governments, 19 employers and 19 workers).
  • 10 of the titular government seats are permanently held by States of chief industrial importance:
    • Brazil,
    • China,
    • France,
    • Germany,
    • India,
    • Italy,
    • Japan,
    • Russian Federation,
    • United Kingdom,
    • United States.