About the ILO Office in Ankara

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations for the world of work. It sets international labour standards, promotes rights at work, encourages decent employment opportunities, the enhancement of social protection and the strengthening of dialogue on work-related issues.

The ILO was founded in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles at the end of the World War I, and became the first specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946. It has a unique structure, bringing together governments, employers’ and workers’ representatives. The ILO has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and has 186 Member States.

Türkiye became a member state of the ILO in 1932. The first ILO Office in Türkiye was opened in İstanbul in 1952 as the “Manpower Field Office for the Near and Middle East.” In 1976, the “ILO Ankara Office” was opened. The Office continues its functions as the “ILO Office for Türkiye”, located in Oran/Ankara.

Mission

The primary goal of the ILO is to promote opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.

The mission of the ILO Office for Türkiye is to have a strong, visible, and proactive presence in Türkiye by effectively engaging with the government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other international organizations to promote decent work for all, ensuring that the core ILO priorities, standards, interests, policies are promoted, and its experience is disseminated.

Objectives and Functions

The ILO Office in Türkiye functions as the diplomatic representation of the ILO in Türkiye vis-à-vis the government, social partners, stakeholders, international community and the general public.

ILO Office for Türkiye works to promote International Labour Standards in Türkiye, and develops, implements and monitors technical cooperation programmes and projects for advancing the decent work opportunities for all.

The Office also follows and analyses social and economic developments, legislative and policy initiatives in Türkiye, and carries out advocacy activities.