international labor organization
Low/TechnicalFormal / Official / Academic
Definition
Meaning
A specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights.
A global body responsible for setting international labour standards, developing policies, and devising programmes to promote decent work for all, with a tripartite structure involving governments, employers, and workers.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always capitalized; refers to a specific entity. Abbreviated as ILO. Often used in contexts of global policy, human rights, and economic development.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK: 'International Labour Organization'; US: 'International Labor Organization'. The abbreviation ILO is universal.
Connotations
Identical; a formal institutional name.
Frequency
Similar, low frequency in general discourse but standard in political science, economics, and international relations.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [ILO] [verb] that...[Country] ratified the [ILO] convention.According to the [ILO]...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company's policies were audited against ILO standards for workplace safety.
Academic
The dissertation critiques the implementation mechanisms of ILO Convention No. 87.
Everyday
I read an article about the ILO's report on remote work trends.
Technical
The state's compliance was assessed under the ILO's supervisory system.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- ILO conventions
- ILO-affiliated project
American English
- ILO standards
- ILO-approved guidelines
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The ILO is in Geneva.
- Many countries follow the rules made by the International Labor Organization.
- The government's new policy aligns with several key ILO conventions on collective bargaining.
- Critics argue that the ILO's enforcement mechanisms lack the necessary teeth to compel compliance among member states.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: International Labor Organization = "I Like Objectives" for workers' rights globally.
Conceptual Metaphor
An international watchdog/standard-setter for work.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating to "Международная Организация Труда" as a descriptive phrase; it is a proper noun "МОТ".
Common Mistakes
- Using lower case ('international labor organization'), confusing it with NGOs, omitting 'the' before ILO in speech (e.g., 'He works for ILO' vs. '...for the ILO').
Practice
Quiz
What is a key structural feature of the ILO?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. "Labour" is the UK spelling; "Labor" is the US spelling. The organization's official name uses both in different regions, but the abbreviation ILO is universal.
It creates international labour standards (conventions), provides technical assistance, and conducts research to promote decent work, social protection, and dialogue.
Yes, it became the first specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946.
It has a unique tripartite structure where governments, employer representatives, and worker representatives from member states all participate in decision-making.