WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor led the United States' delegation to the 2024 International Labor Conference (ILC) in Geneva from June 3-14, 2024, joining over 4,900 delegates for the world’s largest annual conference on international labor rights. The ILC brings together governments, employers, and workers from 187 member states.
Deputy Undersecretary for International Labor Affairs Thea Lee led a cross-agency delegation from the U.S. Departments of Labor and State, promoting workers’ rights across two weeks of engagements and negotiations. This year’s conference also highlighted the 80th anniversary of the ILO’s Declaration of Philadelphia which notes: labor is not a commodity; freedom of association and expression are essential to sustained progress; and poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere.
The department’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), together with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Office of the Solicitor, participated in negotiations to develop a new International Labor Organization standard to protect against biological hazards in the working environment. These negotiations will continue at the ILC in 2025.
ILAB and the Women’s Bureau helped negotiate strong conclusions in a discussion on the care economy, including focusing on the unequal distribution of care work, promoting comprehensive leave policies, addressing all forms of discrimination, and highlighting collective bargaining's importance in this sector.
“We are pleased with our progress at this year’s International Labor Conference in advancing fundamental principles and rights at work for all workers, particularly enabling rights like freedom of association and collective bargaining,” said Deputy Undersecretary for International Labor Affairs Thea Lee. “We are also proud to advance negotiations on the first-ever international standard on biological hazards in the working environment as well as vital new supports for workers in the care economy.”
Discussion on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work included reviewing progress and challenges over eight years. The U.S. highlighted attention to freedom of association and effective recognition of collective bargaining rights. Session conclusions reaffirmed these points while noting their importance for achieving ILO strategic objectives.
In meetings with the Committee on Application Standards assessing individual countries' progress and challenges, U.S representatives made statements regarding Belarus, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Turkmenistan, and Eswatini. Additionally, they participated in a special plenary sitting addressing "the situation of workers of occupied Arab territories."
Deputy Undersecretary Lee along with U.S Department Of State Special Representative for International Labor Affairs Kelly Fay Rodriguez joined over 250 partners at Global Coalition For Social Justice's Inaugural Forum emphasizing freedom association & collective bargaining importance towards social justice achievement.
Learn more about department's international work.
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