About ILO

• ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I.
• It became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946. 
• ILO is the only tripartite U.N. agency which 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.
• India is a founder member of the ILO.
• It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Why in News?

• Recently, the Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments announced an exemption for establishments from the employer’s obligations under several labour laws for three years.
• Calling the move retrograde and anti-worker, several trade unions said they were considering lodging a complaint with the International Labour Organisation against the changes in the labour laws.
• They allege that the changes are in violation with several ILO conventions such as the Right to Freedom of Association [ILO Convention 87], Rights to Collective Bargaining [ILO Convention 98], and also the internationally accepted norm of eight hour working day – espoused by core conventions of ILO. 

They also allege that the exemptions undermined the ILO Convention 144 on tripartism which requires ILO members to undertake effective consultations on matters pertaining to ILO activities between representatives of the government, employers and workers.