Labour standards are rules that govern working conditions. They range from fundamental human rights such as freedom from forced labour and freedom of association to more specific standards on worker health and safety, maternity leave or working hours.

Formal labour standards may be established at national level, in the form of laws or regulations, or at international level through institutions such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The ILO is the UN body which concerns itself with work and workers, and is composed of representatives of governments, employers and workers.

The ILO formulates labour standards as Conventions and Recommendations. There are more than 180 ILO Conventions and they make up a comprehensive set of international labour standards. The Conventions are binding only when ratified by ILO member states and the ILO has limited means to enforce the rules on a state that fails to comply.

More recently, the ILO has identified a key group of labour standards which are intended to establish a floor for the decent and fair treatment of workers. These are known as Core Labour Standards and cover four broad areas: 

• freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
• elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour
• effective abolition of child labour
• elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Core Labour Standards form the basis of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which was adopted in June 1998. The Declaration means that all ILO member states, even if they have not ratified the Conventions in question, have an obligation to respect the Core Labour Standards.

In addition to the Core Labour Standards, some other standards are commonly recognised as being of special importance, because they address serious problems, or because they concern problems that many workers encounter. These include:

• the right to a healthy and safe workplace;
• the payment of a living wage;
• the elimination of excessive overtime;
• the provision of regular employment where possible; and
• the elimination of harsh or inhumane treatment.