The International Labor Organization (ILO) is the oldest of the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, and this book is the first in many years to provide - in English - a detailed description of this influential organization. The premier standard-setting system in the world, its Conventions and Recommendations are at the root of most worldwide labor and social legislation implemented over the past seventy-five years.

The ILO forms the "social pillar" of the international organizations, functioning as the conscience of the system for labor-related questions.

The authors trace the history of the ILO, analyze its mechanisms and procedures and detail its standards for fundamental human rights in the labor arena, including prohibiting forced labor and child labor, preventing discrimination in the workplace, and defending freedom of association. These standards have been ratified by most countries, and their implementation is ensured by the most far-reaching and thorough supervisory mechanism at the international level.

The authors discuss the recent practices of states and consider worldwide trends in the observance of these rights.