2025 International Labour Conference: What Changed for Workers? Details Inside

The 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) was a breakthrough moment for the global workers’ rights agenda, resulting in historic advancements in several areas. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) gladly welcomed the significant progress which further reinforces the ILO’s core efforts on social justice, democratic values and decent work.

What’s New for Platform Workers?

A major advance occurred when the ILC committed itself to develop a new ILO Convention and Recommendation for decent working conditions in the platform economy by 2026. The work will aim to provide better protections for millions of workers in the gig economy who are mostly youth and ensure access to rights and social protection and to safe working conditions.

What Are the Standards on Biological Hazards?

For the first time, the ILO has adopted a convention and a recommendation on biological hazards, setting international standards for workplace exposure to viruses and bacteria. These documents have substantial provisions on prevention, inspections, whistleblower protections, access to health services and compensation for affected workers.

How was the ILO responding to global crises?

Myanmar: The conference condemned the military junta, stating that the most serious harm that the ILO can inflict is under Article 33 for its abuses of labour rights, and called on countries to suspend all ties in its assistance of further repression.

Palestine: Palestine was officially recognised as a non-member observer state, increasing its ability to represent workers’ rights during ongoing conflicts in Gaza.

What About Informal Workers?

The ILC encouraged national strategies to formalise informal sector workers. It reaffirmed principles with universal value, freedom of association, collective bargaining, gender equality, and social protection within the scope of the ILO’s 2024 plan to support these workers.

What Is the ILO’s Risk?

The ITUC raised concerns referring to political pressures that could impact ILO support for LGBTIQ+ workers, warning this could undermine the organisation’s core mandate.

The ILC’s actions this year were more than symbolic; they created a structure to develop a more equitable action for a fairer world of work.