Global Advocacy & Negotiations

How is WIEGO Helping?

• Negotiating International Labour Standards

  Since WIEGO was established, we have supported leaders from worker organizations to represent themselves at the International Labour Conference, where global labour standards are negotiated. This contributes to new alliances and greater recognition by all ILO constituencies, which strengthens the visibility and voice of workers in informal employment.

  Related Resources

  • Event 112th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) Read More
  • Resource Position Paper on Decent Work and the Care Economy, Prepared for the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference Read More
  • Event 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) Read More
  • Resource Position Paper from Workers’ Organizations in the Informal Economy on: Achieving a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all, prepared for the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference Read More

• Advocating for Improved Data & Statistical Methods

  WIEGO participates in ILO working groups preparing revisions of the main conceptual frameworks of labour statistics that are presented to the International Conference of Labour Statisticians for their review and recommendation. Our Statistics Programme aims to ensure that the specific characteristics, economic situation and working conditions of workers in informal employment are taken into account in international labour statistical standards.

  Related Resources

  • Publication Engendering informality statistics: gaps and opportunities: Working paper to support revision of the standards for statistics on informality Read More
  • Publication Considerations for Revision of the International Classification of Status in Employment – ICSE-93 Read More
  • Publication Statistical Definition of the Informal Sector – International Standards and National Practices Read More
  • Publication Toward a Common Framework for Informal Employment across Developed and Developing Countries Read More

• Supporting Workers’ Engagement in Climate-Change Talks

  WIEGO is working with the Global Networks to create a platform for workers in informal employment to participate and have their voices heard in just-transition debates. At the global level, this includes negotiations such as the United Nations Climate Change Conference and the UN Resolution to end plastic pollution.

• Realizing Homeworkers' Labour Rights

  WIEGO collaborates with HomeNet International and its affiliates on research, capacity building and technical support to advance their national and international advocacy efforts to realize homeworkers’ labour rights including efforts to translate the ILO Home Work Convention (C177) into labour laws which protect homeworkers, and advocacy towards the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The ultimate goal of this work is to support homeworkers to shape the laws that affect them.

• Advocating for Inclusive Cities in Urban Fora & Habitat III

  In 2015-2016, WIEGO alongside worker organizations participated in the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development. Known as Habitat III), this consultative process is held every 20 years to reinvigorate the global commitment to sustainable development. The process resulted in the New Urban Agenda, which sets global standards and priorities for equitable, sustainable urban development. WIEGO and worker organizations successfully advocated for language that makes clear that urban policies should include workers in informal employment and recognize their contributions to cities.

• Making Workers Visible at the UN High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment

  WIEGO participated in the year-long initiative that brought together leaders from civil society and the private and public sectors to define an agenda for advancing gender equality and improving economic outcomes for women in the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Together with SEWA, we brought the demands, perspectives and voices of women in informal employment into the research, consultations and dialogues.

  Related Resources

  • Resource United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment: Framing Paper Read More
  • Resource Improving Pay and Working Conditions from the Perspective of the Informal Economy Read More
  • Resource Eliminating Legal Barriers from the Perspective of the Informal Economy Read More
  • Resource Financial and Digital Inclusion from the Perspective of Women in the Informal Economy Read More
  • Resource Child Care from the Perspective of Women in the Informal Economy Read More
  • Resource Expanding the Economic Potential of the Women Informal Workers Read More
  • Resource Enhancing the Productivity of Own Account Enterprises from the Perspective of Women in the Informal Economy Read More