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The ILO conducts research on specific economic sectors, and facilitates information exchange between its constituents on labour and social developments. Sectoral meetings are generally tripartite (equal participation by governments, employers and workers). The ILO holds international meetings that provide a forum for discussion and an exchange of views on current issues in the sector concerned. Sectors covered include Agriculture; plantations and other rural sectors; basic metal production; chemical industries; commerce; construction; education; financial services; professional services; food, drink and tobacco; forestry, wood, pulp and paper; health services; mechanical and electrical engineering; media, culture, graphical; mining (coal, other mining); oil and gas production, oil refining; postal and other communication services; public service; shipping, ports, fisheries, inland waterways; maritime; textiles, clothing, leather, footwear; transport (including civil aviation; railways; road transport); transport equipment manufacturing; utilities (water, gas, electricity)

What's new

Driving for change: action on HIV/AIDS in the road transport sector
28 November 2008 - In a number of countries, HIV prevalence is higher among road transport workers than in the general population. To respond to the challenge of HIV/AIDS in the sector, workers’ and employers’ representatives from around the world will meet in Geneva on World AIDS Day, 1 December, for a training and learning event. ILO Online reports from a border crossing between Kenya and Uganda.
Proper ship breaking: a test for globalization and decent work
03 November 2008 - The last voyage of the ship "Otapan" to a Turkish ship breaking yard last July was a victory for "pre-cleaning" advocates of reducing the human and environmental dangers inherent in ship dismantling and recycling. ...

Key resources

Promoting fair globalization in textiles and clothing in a post-MFA environment - [pdf 472 KB]
Highlights the problems arising from the phase-out of quotas set by the Multifibre Arrangement (MFA), notably uncertainty among workers and enterprises worldwide. Urges for the elaboration and implementation of integrated strategies from global to local level, involving governments and social partners as well as the ILO as lead agency. (Conference paper)
The Future of Work and Quality in the Information Society: The Media, Culture, Graphical Sector - [pdf 647 KB]
Explores the potential impact of the information society and information technology in the media, culture and graphical sector. Focuses on the effects on employment, the quality of work and quality of the product, working conditions, gender equity and labour-management relations. (Conference paper)

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