What Indigenous specific programmes does the ILO undertake?

Within the international legal framework for the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, the ILO has adopted two legally binding international instruments that specifically concern indigenous and tribal peoples:

• The Indigenous and Tribal Populations Convention 1957 (No. 107), which is no longer open for ratification, but remains in force for 18 countries. This has not been ratified by Australia.
• The Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 1989 (No. 169), which has been ratified by 20 countries. It covers a wide range of issues, including land rights, access to natural resources, health, education, vocational training, conditions of employment and contacts across borders. The fundamental principles of the Convention are that indigenous and tribal peoples should be consulted and fully participate at all levels of decision-making processes that concern them. This has not been ratified by Australia.

The ILO also adopted the Resolution on ILO Action Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in 1989.That resolution outlines possible forms of action to be taken to promote the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples.

For more information regarding the ILO and Indigenous and Tribal peoples click here

The key issues which the ILO targets in its programs for Indigenous people include:

• Training and capacity building
• Poverty reduction
• Elimination of Child Labour
• Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

The ILO works at the regional, sub-regional and national level in Africa, Asia and Latin America. To view the ILO’s activities for indigenous peoples by region click here. One key program is the Indigenous Peoples & Local Economic Development (IP/LED) Programme, which supports indigenous and tribal peoples’ communities to develop local economies and employment strategies. For more information on IP/LED click here.

Some ILO instruments which are particularly relevant to indigenous people are:

1. Indigenous & Tribal People's Rights in Practice - A Guide to ILO Convention No. 169
2. “Eliminating discrimination against indigenous and tribal peoples in employment and occupation” is a guide on the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention 1958 (No. 111) designed specifically for indigenous people.