The ILO and the Quest for Social Justice, 1919-2009 (review)

Founded in 1919, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations charged with the creation and enforcement of international labor standards and policy. As the ILO approaches its 100th anniversary, The ILO and the Quest for Social Justice, 1919-2009, gives readers a historical look back on its first ninety years and offers insight as to what to expect of the ILO in the years to come. The book is aimed at the general audience, including those who are unfamiliar with the ILO, as well as those who consider themselves to be well-versed with the organization's work. Although not explicitly stated, the book might also serve as a response to the ILO's critics who claim the ILO has no more relevance or lacks the "teeth" to enforce international labor standards.

While there are four primary authors, three of whom have been longtime ILO officials, the book is very much a production of the organization as many other staff and departments, including the Director-General Juan Somavia, are credited with contributions of some kind.¹ However, Director-General Somavia in his foreword and the authors in their preface emphasize that the book is not meant to be a comprehensive history and acknowledge omission of various topics. The book is part of a larger endeavor, the ILO Century Project, which aims to celebrate the ILO's 100th anniversary in 2019 through a programmatic effort to broaden the organization's institutional and historical knowledge.² In this context, the authors would like the book to be seen as more of a starting point coming from a personal perspective.³

The first chapter gives an introduction to the ILO and frames the organization's founding and work around the vision of social justice. The chapter opens with an account in 1941 when the ILO's continued existence rested on the backing of President Franklin Roosevelt and the United States. As an American, I found it ironic that the United States would play such a pivotal role nearly seventy years ago yet today is reluctant to ratify many of the ILO's core conventions.

The first chapter also highlights one of the fundamental aspects and hallmarks of the organization, tripartism. Nearly every decision and program involves not just government actors but also participation from employers' and workers' organizations. The tripartite model has increased collaboration, transparency, and legitimacy but has also added to the complexity and scope of the ILO's work, especially given the rise and influence of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and multinational corporations in the globalized economy.⁴ The ILO is clearly proud of this model (and rightfully so) and the authors continually impress upon the reader throughout the book of both its advantages as well as the challenges in operating as a tripartite entity.

Chapters 2 to 5 are organized along four central themes of the organization's work.⁵ Human rights (Chapter 2), quality of work (Chapter 3), social protection (Chapter 4), and employment and poverty reduction (Chapter 5) are each given a separate historical analysis that concludes with a look ahead towards the future. Chapter 6 discusses the ILO's most recent endeavor to integrate international social and economic policy and agenda—Decent Work.

In each chapter and theme, the authors try to convey the leadership role that the ILO has played and the degree to which it has influenced policy in these areas. As an example of this, in their concluding remarks to Chapter 2, they assert, "[T]he Organization has defined the terms of discussion of nearly every human rights subject with which it has been concerned."⁶ With such strong language, those unfamiliar with the ILO might be seduced into complete admiration while informed readers might be more skeptical when it comes to accepting these kinds of claims.

Although the authors manage to discuss various contributions made by and issues facing employers' and...