111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC)

111th Session of the International Labour Conference: A just transition towards sustainable and inclusive economies, and labour protection

The 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) is being held at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, in June 2023. One recurrent discussion on Building inclusive labour protection in an evolving world of work, and a general discussion on Achieving a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all will take place during the session.

A delegation of workers representing the International Alliance of Waste Pickers, the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF), HomeNet International, Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA), StreetNet International and WIEGO will participate in the committee meetings, bringing the voices and experiences of the most marginalized workers to demand principles and practices that respond to their particular needs.

Global Networks’ Position Papers

• Global Position Paper from Workers’ Organizations in the Informal Economy on Achieving a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all – English, Français, Español, Portuguese and Russian
• Global Position Paper from Workers’ Organizations in the Informal Economy on Leaving no one behind: Building inclusive labour protection in an evolving world of work – English, Français, Español, Portuguese and Russian
• A Just Transition for Workers in Informal Employment – English, Français, Español and Portuguese

Together, organizations of workers in informal employment across the world are committed to leaving no one behind. For the International Networks of Workers in Informal Employment and WIEGO, this means applying and implementing international labour protection standards for ALL workers. A just transition means greening the economy in a way that is fair and inclusive and creating decent work opportunities. To fulfil these commitments, workers in informal employment – more than two billion workers who make up 61% of the global labour force – must be included in the conversation. 

How the ILC Works

Government officials, trade union representatives and employers’ associations from 187 countries gather every year in Geneva for the International Labour Conference (ILC). This tripartite “parliament of labour” has been setting standards for the world of work since 1919—but only in the last 25 years have informal economy workers been part of the agenda. It’s been an uphill battle, but with the help of WIEGO and our allies, workers in informal employment have raised their voices and gained recognition in this international forum.

During the 111th ILC two-week session, delegates (representing employers’ organizations, trade unions and government officials of Member States) will gather to discuss international labour standards. Worker leaders and representatives from the domestic worker, home-based worker, street vendor and waste picker sectors will participate as observers and as part of the worker group to ensure that the voice of workers in informal employment is heard.

We believe the conclusion of the general discussions must build on the foundation of the draft outcome document of the committees referring to a just transition and labour protection in ways that include:

• Recognition that an environmentally just transition and the transition from the informal to the formal economy must go hand in hand.
• Inclusion of organizations of workers in informal employment through implementation of Recommendation 204, in social dialogue, collective negotiations and having a seat at the table in planning and decision-making processes on the issues that impact them.
• Introduction of a mix of social protection measures, including social assistance and social insurance. These would function as adaptation mechanisms, enabling workers in informal employment to face disruption and transitions in the labour market.
• Further integration of just transition into ILO activities at regional and national levels, including through Decent Work Country Programmes, development of cooperation projects, among others.
• Broadening the scope of the right to collective bargaining for extending any labour rights coverage and effectiveness for workers in informal employment.

Notable events where WIEGO Partners were present

The leaders of informal workers’ organizations took the stage at the International Labour Conference, seizing the opportunity to articulate the diverse set of challenges, expectations, and goals they encounter through their respective organizations. It was a platform for them to convey their perspectives and shed light on the realities faced by informal workers worldwide. Below, you will find some of these presentations.

Lorraine Sibanda, President of StreetNet International

Betty Lunkuse, Representative of HomeNet International

Watch more videos from ILC 2023

Past ILCs

• 2022 – Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy
• 2021, November – Inequalities and the World of work: A Mayor Challenge of Our Time 
• 2021, June – Extending Social Protection to Women and Men in the Informal Economy 
• 2019 – Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work
• Previous strategies that helped achieve significant victories on this global stage

More information

• May Day 2023: Workers in informal employment demand a just transition to a low carbon future. English 
• Negotiations by workers in the informal economy, ILO Working paper 86, 2023. English
• Interview with Elizabeth Nzilani Peter, Macakos Cooperative Union, Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators, ILO, 2023. English
• Calligaro, Florencia and Oscar Cetrangolo. 2023. Financing Universal Social Protection: The Relevance and Labour Market Impacts of Social Security Contributions. WIEGO Working Paper No. 47. English
• Cass Talbott, Taylor, Pinky Chandran, Cecilia Allen, Lakshmi Narayan and Owusu Boampong. 2022. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Waste Pickers. WIEGO Technical Brief No. 15. English, Spanish, French 
• Resolution concerning decent work and the social and solidarity economy, ILC.110/Resolution II, 2022. English, French, Spanish 
• Joanne Lees, Richard Dobson. 2021. Inclusive Public Space Planning & Design: Lessons from Asiye eTafuleni, Durban, South Africa. WIEGO Technical Brief No. 13. English
• New calculator reveals the amount of equivalent CO2 mitigated by waste picker activity, WIEGO, 2021. English
• Parra, Federico and Olga Abizaid. 2021. Formalization as Public Service Providers: Achievements and Obstacles for Colombia’s Waste Pickers. WIEGO Technical Brief No. 12. English 
• Rogan, Michael. 2019. Tax Justice and the Informal Economy: A Review of the Debates. WIEGO Working Paper No. 41. English
• IJgosse, Jeroen. 2018. Waste Incineration and Informal Livelihoods: A Technical Guide on Waste-to-Energy Initiatives. WIEGO Technical Brief No. 11. English, Portuguese, Spanish
• Carré, Françoise, Pat Horn and Chris Bonner. 2018. Collective Bargaining by Informal Workers in the Global South: Where and How It Takes Place. WIEGO Working Paper No. 38. English
• Homeworkers in Thailand and Legal Rights Protections, HomeNet Thailand, 2013. English 
• (In)dependent Contractor Misclassification, Françoise Carré, Economic Policy Institute, 2015. English
• The Street Vendors Act, Parliament of the Republic of India, 2014. English 
• IJgosse, Jeroen. 2012. Paying Waste Pickers for Environmental Services: A Critical Examination of Options Proposed in Brazil. WIEGO Technical Brief (Urban Policies) No. 6. English
• Local Government in Transition – A Gendered Analysis of Trends in Urban Policy and Practices Regarding Street Trading in Five South African Cities, Caroline Skinner, University of Natal, 1999. English

Media contacts

• Sofia Trevino (onsite in Geneva): +1613-290-5258; Sofia.Trevino@wiego.org (English, Spanish, French)
• Kendra Hughes (in Ottawa): +1613-807-2724; Kendra.Hughes@wiego.org (English, Spanish, French)