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The ILO conducts research on specific economic sectors, and facilitates information exchange between its constituents on labour and social developments. Sectoral meetings are generally tripartite (equal participation by governments, employers and workers). The ILO holds international meetings that provide a forum for discussion and an exchange of views on current issues in the sector concerned. Sectors covered include Agriculture; plantations and other rural sectors; basic metal production; chemical industries; commerce; construction; education; financial services; professional services; food, drink and tobacco; forestry, wood, pulp and paper; health services; mechanical and electrical engineering; media, culture, graphical; mining (coal, other mining); oil and gas production, oil refining; postal and other communication services; public service; shipping, ports, fisheries, inland waterways; maritime; textiles, clothing, leather, footwear; transport (including civil aviation; railways; road transport); transport equipment manufacturing; utilities (water, gas, electricity)

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U.S. Garment Buyers Team Up to Support Better Work
19 November 2009 - The US Council for International Business (USCIB) has announced support for Better Work by five of the biggest U.S. apparel companies--Gap Inc., Levi Strauss & Co., Nike, Walmart and the Walt Disney Company—which will contribute over USD $1 million to Better Work through the USCIB’s foundation.
Somalia: addressing the root causes of piracy and warlordism
13 October 2009 - Faced with a dramatic increase in piracy off the Horn of Africa, countries have stepped up their efforts to protect shipping in the region. However, attention is now turning more to the question of why people turn to piracy to make a living and what can be done to provide an alternative. ...

Key resources

Promoting fair globalization in textiles and clothing in a post-MFA environment - [pdf 472 KB]
Highlights the problems arising from the phase-out of quotas set by the Multifibre Arrangement (MFA), notably uncertainty among workers and enterprises worldwide. Urges for the elaboration and implementation of integrated strategies from global to local level, involving governments and social partners as well as the ILO as lead agency. (Conference paper)
The Future of Work and Quality in the Information Society: The Media, Culture, Graphical Sector - [pdf 647 KB]
Explores the potential impact of the information society and information technology in the media, culture and graphical sector. Focuses on the effects on employment, the quality of work and quality of the product, working conditions, gender equity and labour-management relations. (Conference paper)

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