New Delhi: The 113th International Labour Conference (ILC), held from June 2 to June 13, 2025, at the Palais des Nations and ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, marked a pivotal moment in advancing global labor standards. Convened by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the annual meeting brought together over 5,400 delegates representing governments, employers, and workers from the ILO’s 187 Member States. The conference addressed pressing labor issues, resulting in groundbreaking decisions, including the adoption of the Biological Hazards in the Working Environment Convention, 2025 (Convention No. 192), amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC), and significant strides toward formalizing care and platform economy workers.
Adoption of Convention No. 192: A Historic Step Against Biological Hazards
A landmark achievement of the 113th ILC was the adoption of the Biological Hazards in the Working Environment Convention, 2025 (Convention No. 192), the first international labor standard specifically addressing biological hazards in workplaces. This legally binding treaty requires ILO Member States to formulate national policies and implement occupational safety and health (OSH) measures to prevent and protect workers from biological risks. Employers are mandated to adopt preventive measures in collaboration with workers, who must be informed and trained on associated hazards.
The accompanying Recommendation provides detailed guidance, covering risk assessments, early warning systems, preparedness for outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics, and training. It defines biological hazards, listing exposure routes such as airborne, contact, or vector-borne pathways. Together, these instruments create a robust, adaptable framework to safeguard workers across all sectors, from healthcare to agriculture, against biological risks. This historic move underscores the ILO’s commitment to proactive workplace safety in an era of evolving health challenges.
Amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006
The ILC approved seven amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC), a binding international law ensuring minimum working and living standards for seafarers. Ratified by India in 2015, the MLC was updated to address critical issues, including violence and harassment on board ships, reinforcing seafarers’ rights to shore leave and repatriation, and recognizing them as key workers. The amendments also enhance access to medical care and ensure fair treatment in cases of detention or maritime incidents or accidents.
These changes, adopted at the Special Tripartite Committee’s fifth meeting in April 2025, were overwhelmingly supported by delegates, reflecting a global consensus on the need to improve seafarers’ welfare. The MLC amendments are expected to strengthen protections for seafarers, who play a vital role in global trade, ensuring their rights are upheld amid challenging working conditions.
Advancing Decent Work in the Platform Economy
The 113th ILC held its first standard-setting discussion on decent work in the platform economy, a significant step toward improving rights and conditions for digital platform workers. The conference agreed on the form of a Convention and Recommendation, establishing key definitions and scope for future standards. The proposed standards address fundamental principles, fair remuneration, social security, occupational safety and health, the impact of automated systems on working conditions, personal data protection, and access to dispute resolution.
This discussion, set to continue at the 114th ILC in 2026, highlights the ILO’s recognition that technological innovation must be paired with fair labor practices. As digital platforms reshape economies, these standards aim to ensure platform workers, from ride-hailing drivers to freelance professionals, benefit from decent work principles, driving global momentum for equitable digital labor markets.
Resolution to Reduce Informality and Transition to Formal Work
The ILC adopted a Resolution to reduce informality and support the transition to formal employment, calling for urgent action to improve working conditions, extend social protection, and create decent jobs. The resolution emphasizes support for populations most affected by informality, such as care workers, migrant workers, and those in precarious employment. It requests the ILO to develop a global roadmap and assist countries in implementing national formalization strategies.
This resolution aligns with the ILO’s broader mission to promote social justice, addressing the challenges faced by millions of informal workers in informal economies worldwide. By prioritizing social protection and decent work, the resolution sets a clear path toward inclusive economic growth and development.
Formalizing Care and support Workers: A Breakthrough for Vulnerable Groups
A major focus of the 113th ILC was the recognition of care workers and support workers as priority groups in the transition to formal employment. The conference’s conclusions document urges governments to extend labor protections to these workers, including migrant workers and disability support workers, who are often excluded from formal public employment frameworks. Key accomplishments include:
- Recognition of Priority Groups: Care workers and support workers, including migrant workers and disability support workers, were identified as among the most at-risk groups for informal and insecure employment.
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): The right to OSH protections was affirmed for workers in informal employment.
- ILO Convention 190 Protections: Protections against violence and harassment were extended to informal and precarious workers.
- Due Diligence Obligations: Governments were called upon to advance due diligence obligations for companies to address informality in their operations and supply chains.
- Inclusive Public Services: Emphasis was placed on inclusive public services and stronger policy coordination to support formalization.
- Collective Bargaining: Promotion of collective bargaining as a key mechanism to improve working conditions and secure formal employment.
The conclusions emerged from a general discussion on transitioning from informal to formal employment, led by UNI Global Union and other trade union organizations. Despite resistance from some governments and employers’ representatives, the advocacy efforts ensured the inclusion of care workers and support workers in national formalization strategies. Alan Sable, Head of UNI Global Union’s Care Sector, stated, “These conclusions mark an important step toward recognizing that governments have an obligation to ensure all publicly funded care workers are fully formalized.”
UNI Global Union’s recent report, Accelerating Decent Work: Formalizing Home Care and Community Health Workers, based on data from over 8,700 workers, highlighted the urgency of formalizing the care sector. Case studies from Brazil, Nepal, and Washington State, U.S., demonstrated how union organizing drives progress toward better protections. Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, emphasized, “Formalizing the care sector is not only a matter of justice—it’s essential for building resilient, inclusive societies and delivering quality care.”
Global Coalition for Social Justice Forum
The second edition of the Global Coalition for Social Justice Annual Forum took place on June 12, 2025, on the sidelines of the ILC. Launched by the ILO in 2023, the Coalition aims to unite global, regional, and national actors to advance social justice through policy coherence and action. The forum, attended by Coalition partners, ILO tripartite delegations, and high-profile figures such as Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader and Brazil’s Minister of Labour and Employment Luiz Marinho, reaffirmed its commitment to driving tangible change.
The forum featured participation from ministers, UN representatives, workers’ and employers’ organizations, civil society, the private sector, and academia, highlighting the Coalition’s collaborative approach to addressing global labor challenges.
Additional ILC Outcomes
The 113th ILC delivered several other significant outcomes:
- Tripartite Contribution to the Second World Summit for Social Development: The ILC formally approved the ILO’s tripartite contribution to the Summit, scheduled for November 2025 in Doha, Qatar. The Resolution calls for active involvement of employers’ and workers’ organizations and assigns the ILO a leading role in monitoring outcomes.
- Myanmar Resolution: The ILC adopted a Resolution urging Myanmar’s military authorities to implement the ILO Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations on freedom of association and forced labor elimination, calling for international support to protect workers’ rights.
- Committee on the Application of Standards (CAN): The CAN examined the application of ILO Conventions in 24 country cases and expressed concern over Belarus’s use of criminal sanctions against trade unionists, urging compliance with 2003 Commission of Inquiry recommendations.
- Palestine’s Status: The ILC invited Palestine to participate in ILO meetings as a non-member observer State, upgrading its previous status as a liberation movement.
- Programme and Budget for 2026–27: The ILC adopted the Resolution on the Programme and Budget for 2026–27, allocating resources among Member States.
ILO Director-General’s Report and Closing Remarks
The plenary reviewed ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo’s report, Jobs, rights and growth: Reinforcing the connection. Houngbo emphasized the importance of social dialogue and democratic institutions in fostering social cohesion and supporting sustainable enterprises. He noted that 18 instruments of ratification from eight Member States were registered during the session, underscoring the ILO’s enduring relevance. “Our mandate and our work matter now more than ever,” Houngbo said, urging delegates to continue the quest for social justice.
Conclusion
The 113th International Labour Conference, held from June 2 to June 13, 2025, in Geneva, delivered transformative outcomes for global workers. From adopting Convention No. 192 on biological hazards to advancing protections for seafarers, platform workers, and care workers, the ILC reinforced the ILO’s role as a leader in promoting decent work and social justice. The Global Coalition for Social Justice Forum and resolutions on informality, Myanmar, and the Second World Summit for Social Development further highlighted the conference’s comprehensive approach to labor challenges. As the world navigates evolving workplace dynamics, the 113th ILC’s achievements provide a roadmap for inclusive, equitable, and safe labor markets.
FAQs About the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) 2025
1. What was the main focus of the 113th International Labour Conference held in Geneva?
The 113th ILC, held from June 2 to June 13, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on advancing global labor standards. Key discussions included adopting the Biological Hazards in the Working Environment Convention, 2025 (Convention No. 192), amending the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC), improving conditions for platform economy workers, formalizing care and support workers, and reducing informality to support the transition to formal employment. The conference also addressed the ILO’s contribution to the Second World Summit for Social Development.
2. What are the Biological Hazards in the Working Environment Convention, 2025 (Convention No. 192)?
Convention No. 192 is the first international labor standard addressing biological hazards in workplaces. Adopted at the 113th ILC, it requires ILO Member States to formulate national policies and implement occupational safety and health measures to prevent and protect workers from biological risks, such as airborne, contact, or vector-borne exposures. The accompanying Recommendation provides guidance on risk assessments, early warning systems, and preparedness for outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics.
3. How did the 113th ILC address the rights of care and support workers?
The ILC recognized care and support workers, including migrant and disability support workers, as priority groups in transitioning from informal to formal employment. The conclusions urged governments to extend labor protections, ensure occupational safety and health, and promote collective bargaining. The adoption of ILO Convention 190 protections against violence and harassment for informal workers and calls for due diligence by companies were significant steps to formalize the care sector.
4. What changes were made to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) during the conference?
The ILC approved seven amendments to the MLC, 2006, enhancing protections for seafarers. These changes address violence and harassment on board, reinforce rights to shore leave and repatriation, recognize seafarers as key workers, improve access to medical care, and ensure fair treatment in cases of detention or maritime accidents. These amendments were adopted following the Special Tripartite Committee’s fifth meeting in April 2025.
5. What was the role of the Global Coalition for Social Justice at the 113th ILC?
The second edition of the Global Coalition for Social Justice Annual Forum, held on June 12, 2025, on the sidelines of the ILC, aimed to advance social justice through policy coherence and action. Attended by Coalition partners, ILO tripartite delegations, and notable figures like Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader and Brazil’s Minister of Labour and Employment Luiz Marinho, the forum reaffirmed its commitment to driving tangible change in global labor practices.
