ILO Tripartite Structure

The ILO's tripartite structure gives governments, employers and workers an institutional role in its decision-making. Unlike most intergovernmental organizations, it includes representatives of governments, employers and workers in deliberation, standard-setting and governance.

Representation of the three constituents

At the International Labour Conference, each member State is represented by four delegates: two government delegates, one employer delegate and one worker delegate. Employer and worker delegates are nominated in agreement with the most representative organizations of their respective groups, and each delegate may vote independently.

The three principal organs

• The International Labour Conference is the general assembly of the ILO. It adopts international labour standards, approves the budget and elects members of the Governing Body.
• The Governing Body is the executive council. Its 56 titular members comprise 28 government, 14 employer and 14 worker representatives; it determines policy, sets the Conference agenda and elects the Director-General.
• The International Labour Office is the permanent secretariat headed by the Director-General. It conducts research, prepares reports and supports standard-setting, supervision and technical cooperation.

Purpose and significance

Tripartism institutionalizes social dialogue by bringing public authority together with organizations representing labour and enterprise. It can improve the legitimacy and practical relevance of labour standards, while balancing worker protection with administrative and economic considerations.

• ILO Conventions adopted through this structure become legally binding on a member State only after its ratification by that State.
• The model also encourages tripartite consultation within member States on labour policy and international labour standards.

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