ILO ACTRAV

News about Workers' activities from the International Labour Organization.

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

ILC 2026: Photos from the visit of ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo to the Workers’ Group.

The Director-General welcomed and thanked worker delegates attending the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference.

He reiterated the critical importance of the ILO’s normative mandate and reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to supporting its constituents worldwide.

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

Did you know that the International Labour Conference is the world’s largest annual gatherings dedicated to the world of work?

Every year, workers, employers and governments from 187 ILO Member States come together in Geneva to discuss the future of labour rights and advance social justice.

As the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference opens today, the world of work is facing deep challenges: growing inequality, rapid technological change, democratic shifts, conflict, uncertainty and disruption.

Across the world, trade unions stand on the front line to defend rights, protect workers, support their members and keep democracy alive in the workplace and beyond.

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

The 114th Session of the International Labour Conference has officially opened in Geneva!

Each year, workers, employers and governments from the ILO’s 187 Member States come together to discuss key issues shaping the world of work and advance social justice.

This year’s Conference opens in a context marked by inequality, technological change, democratic shifts, conflict and uncertainty.

For workers and their organizations, the stakes are high. Across the world, trade unions continue to defend rights, protect workers, support their members and keep democracy alive in the workplace and beyond.

Catelene Passchier, Chairperson of the Workers’ Group, stressed that the role of the ILO must be reinforced to protect workers around the world and respond to the challenges ahead.

The Conference will address several issues of major importance for workers, including decent work in the platform economy, artificial intelligence, gender equality, international labour standards, social dialogue and tripartism.

The ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities stands ready to support workers’ organizations in defending workers’ rights and advancing social justice.

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

Ahead of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, the Workers’ Group held its first meeting on 31 May 2026.

Oliver Röpke, Director of the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), reaffirmed the support of the Bureau and the ILO for workers’ organizations worldwide in a turbulent and challenging world of work:

“At a time like this, the role of the ILO is more important than ever. As the only multilateral institution where governments, employers and workers come together on an equal footing, the ILO remains a unique and indispensable platform for dialogue, cooperation and progress.”

Oliver Röpke, Director of the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV)

The Workers’ Group also observed a minute of silence in memory of the workers who lost their lives in the course of their work over the past year.

Photos are available here:
https://t.co/kePP36dbkL

@oliverroepke

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

ACTRAV welcomes Workers’ delegates to the 114th #ILC2026 in Geneva 🇨🇭

On behalf of the Director-General of the @ilo , @oliverroepke , Director of the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), warmly welcomes Workers’ delegates to Geneva for the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference.

In his message, he highlights key issues of critical importance for workers and their organizations.
🎥 Watch: https://t.co/riUNy204e2
#Workers #TradeUnions

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

Why a new ILO Code matters for aquaculture workers

Over 20 million people work in aquaculture , many exposed to serious OSH risks. The @ilo has adopted the first-ever Code of Practice on OSH in aquaculture, a major step forward.

🎥 Watch insights from ACTRAV experts & worker representatives:
https://t.co/KWOgK1eHfE

[ILO Caribbean @ILOCaribbean]

🗓️13 May 2026
Haitian tripartite partners met with NATUC at the ILO Caribbean Office — an exchange of experiences and Caribbean solidarity in action.
Rencontre entre partenaires tripartites haïtiens et la NATUC au Bureau de l'OIT pour les Caraïbes. Solidarité caribéenne.

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

May Day 2026: Standing with Workers Worldwide

In his May Day message, Oliver Röpke, Director of the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), reaffirms the ILO’s commitment to standing with workers and trade unions worldwide.

As workers’ rights, democracy, and decent work face growing challenges, he underscores the urgent need for unity, solidarity, and collective action to uphold social justice and safeguard dignity for all.

@oliverroepke

https://t.co/D3gQxY0kNO

[Oliver Röpke @oliverroepke]

On the eve of May 1st in Bangkok:
Important exchange with 🇹🇭 Thai trade unions, which operate under challenging structural conditions. Freedom of association, collective bargaining and ratification of @ilo conventions 87 and 98 rank among their top priorities.

[Oliver Röpke @oliverroepke]

Thai workers face significant cost-of-living pressures. A large proportion of the workforce is engaged in informal or non-standard employment. @ILOACTRAV will continue to support Thai unions to organize all groups of workers and to use the full potential of social dialogue.

[Oliver Röpke @oliverroepke]

Very productive coordination meeting between @ILOACTRAV and the colleagues of @itucasiapacific in 🇹🇭 Bangkok. Committed to support workers' organisations in Asia-Pacific and strengthen their capacity, we discuss the urgent need to prioritise formalisation strategies. #DecentWork

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

840,000 workers die every year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks at work.
On #WorldDayForSafetyAndHealthAtWork 2026, the @ILO shows why protecting mental well-being at work matters and how strong trade unions save lives.

▶️ Watch the video: https://t.co/COy9LxAhmB

[Oliver Röpke @oliverroepke]

Glad to kick-off my mission to our Asia-Pacific team in Bangkok 🇹🇭. First exchange with the @ILOACTRAV colleagues and with @ILOAsiaPacific Regional Director Kaori Nakamura Osaka, discussing the challenges of this vibrant region and how to support decent work with joint actions.

[International Labour Organization @ilo]

More than 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks.

These work-related psychosocial risks are mainly associated with cardiovascular diseases & mental disorders, including suicide.

New ILO report explains: https://t.co/YQuiMVGsUN #SafeDay

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

This week, the ACTRAV Director met with workers’ organizations in Brussels and Geneva.

In Brussels, speaking at a Hans Böckler Foundation panel, @oliverroepke underlined that there is no sustainable competitiveness without social dialogue and no genuine social dialogue without freedom of association and collective bargaining.
He stressed the need for workers’ voices across value chains and borders, foresight through social dialogue, democracy in the world of work, and international labour standards at the core of global labour governance.

In Geneva, meeting the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan led by Satybaldy Dauletalin, he reaffirmed the @ilo commitment to supporting trade unions through capacity building, social dialogue, and international labour standards.
ACTRAV remains committed to promoting decent work.

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

Presenting a United Front: The Future of Labour in Pakistan

In the latest episode of Workers’ Voices, we speak with Saad Muhammad Chaudhary, General Secretary of the Pakistan United Workers Federation (PUWF), following the historic merger of ten major federations.

Representing more than one million workers, Saad reflects on the challenges of trade union leadership in a rapidly changing economy. The conversation explores advocacy for International Labour Standards (ILS) and how modern unions can effectively operate at the intersection of law, public policy, and human rights.

Watch the full episode:

https://t.co/O31Uk6xpBN

[ILOPhilippines @ILOManila]

Trade union leaders & youth reps from six counties in Asia-Pacific gather in Manila on 23–24 April 2026 for the Regional Trade Union Youth Conference on Just Transition: Advancing Youth-led Climate Action hosted by @ILOACTRAV, aseantuc & TUCP.

[International Labour Organization @ilo]

Can companies stay competitive without leaving workers behind?

In Thailand’s auto industry, electric vehicles and automation are reshaping jobs and skills.

Our new Future of Work podcast explores how dialogue can support a just transition: 🎧 https://t.co/uRPX5HYW0q

[ILO ACTRAV @ILOACTRAV]

How can wages keep up with the rising cost of living?

In Workers’ Voices, Michele O’Neil, President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), discusses living wages, youth engagement, and women’s leadership in the labour movement.

🎥 Watch here: https://t.co/ZQKsuUWYIY

#LivingWages #FutureOfWork #TradeUnions #WorkersVoices