Core Conventions of the ILO The eight fundamental convention | International organisations

Core Conventions of the ILO

The eight fundamental conventions form an integral part of the United Nations Human Rights Framework, and their ratification is an important sign of member States’ commitment to human rights.

Overall, 135 member States have ratified all eight fundamental conventions.

Unfortunately, 48 member states (out of 183 member States), including member states with the highest populations, have yet to complete ratification of all eight conventions.

The eight-core conventions of the ILO are:

Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)

Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)

Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)

Minimum Age Convention (No.138)

Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)

Freedom of Association and Protection of Right to Organised Convention (No.87)

Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No.98)

The eight conventions, taken together, are more relevant today in the face of global economic and other challenges impinging on the welfare and livelihood of workers in all regions.

Indeed, they are part and parcel of the overarching architecture for the universality of human rights, offering protection to all, and responding closely to the quest for social justice in a globalized setting.

They are catalytic to the UN system, the international community and local communities as a whole.