ILO ACTRAV

Why a new ILO Code matters for aquaculture workers Over 20 million people work in aquaculture , many exposed to serious OSH risks. The @ilo has adopted the first-ever Code of Practice on OSH in aquaculture, a major step forward. 🎥 Watch insights from ACTRAV experts & worker representatives: youtube.com/watch?v=BJGiQU…

🗓️13 May 2026 Haitian tripartite partners met with NATUC at the ILO Caribbean Office — an exchange of experiences and Caribbean solidarity in action. Rencontre entre partenaires tripartites haïtiens et la NATUC au Bureau de l'OIT pour les Caraïbes. Solidarité caribéenne.

May Day 2026: Standing with Workers Worldwide In his May Day message, Oliver Röpke, Director of the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), reaffirms the ILO’s commitment to standing with workers and trade unions worldwide. As workers’ rights, democracy, and decent work face growing challenges, he underscores the urgent need for unity, solidarity, and collective action to uphold social justice and safeguard dignity for all. @oliverroepke youtube.com/watch?v=vIHFH3…

On the eve of May 1st in Bangkok: Important exchange with 🇹🇭 Thai trade unions, which operate under challenging structural conditions. Freedom of association, collective bargaining and ratification of @ilo conventions 87 and 98 rank among their top priorities.

Thai workers face significant cost-of-living pressures. A large proportion of the workforce is engaged in informal or non-standard employment. @ILOACTRAV will continue to support Thai unions to organize all groups of workers and to use the full potential of social dialogue.

Very productive coordination meeting between @ILOACTRAV and the colleagues of @itucasiapacific in 🇹🇭 Bangkok. Committed to support workers' organisations in Asia-Pacific and strengthen their capacity, we discuss the urgent need to prioritise formalisation strategies. #DecentWork

840,000 workers die every year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks at work. On #WorldDayForSafetyAndHealthAtWork 2026, the @ILO shows why protecting mental well-being at work matters and how strong trade unions save lives. ▶️ Watch the video: youtube.com/watch?v=a5Fh6o…

Glad to kick-off my mission to our Asia-Pacific team in Bangkok 🇹🇭. First exchange with the @ILOACTRAV colleagues and with @ILOAsiaPacific Regional Director Kaori Nakamura Osaka, discussing the challenges of this vibrant region and how to support decent work with joint actions.

More than 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks. These work-related psychosocial risks are mainly associated with cardiovascular diseases & mental disorders, including suicide. New ILO report explains: ow.ly/sGSP50YLvMB #SafeDay

This week, the ACTRAV Director met with workers’ organizations in Brussels and Geneva. In Brussels, speaking at a Hans Böckler Foundation panel, @oliverroepke underlined that there is no sustainable competitiveness without social dialogue and no genuine social dialogue without freedom of association and collective bargaining. He stressed the need for workers’ voices across value chains and borders, foresight through social dialogue, democracy in the world of work, and international labour standards at the core of global labour governance. In Geneva, meeting the Federation of Trade Unions of Kazakhstan led by Satybaldy Dauletalin, he reaffirmed the @ilo commitment to supporting trade unions through capacity building, social dialogue, and international labour standards. ACTRAV remains committed to promoting decent work.

Presenting a United Front: The Future of Labour in Pakistan In the latest episode of Workers’ Voices, we speak with Saad Muhammad Chaudhary, General Secretary of the Pakistan United Workers Federation (PUWF), following the historic merger of ten major federations. Representing more than one million workers, Saad reflects on the challenges of trade union leadership in a rapidly changing economy. The conversation explores advocacy for International Labour Standards (ILS) and how modern unions can effectively operate at the intersection of law, public policy, and human rights. Watch the full episode: lnkd.in/ezvugvyX

Trade union leaders & youth reps from six counties in Asia-Pacific gather in Manila on 23–24 April 2026 for the Regional Trade Union Youth Conference on Just Transition: Advancing Youth-led Climate Action hosted by @ILOACTRAV, aseantuc & TUCP.

Can companies stay competitive without leaving workers behind? In Thailand’s auto industry, electric vehicles and automation are reshaping jobs and skills. Our new Future of Work podcast explores how dialogue can support a just transition: 🎧 ow.ly/7M7i50YKhwh

How can wages keep up with the rising cost of living? In Workers’ Voices, Michele O’Neil, President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), discusses living wages, youth engagement, and women’s leadership in the labour movement. 🎥 Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=K1Vty3… #LivingWages #FutureOfWork #TradeUnions #WorkersVoices

Trade union leaders and representatives from all regions came together this week to call for improved working and living conditions for workers worldwide, reaffirming their strong commitment to multilateralism as a foundation for advancing social justice and decent work. ACTRAV was represented by @oliverroepke at the Trade Union Assembly held on the margins of the Global Progressive Forum, which took place over the weekend in Barcelona. During the event, Oliver held bilateral meetings with several trade union leaders and participated as a panellist in discussions on the International Labour Organization’s transformative agenda for gender equality in the world of work. ACTRAV also took this opportunity to reiterate the central importance of international labour standards, in particular ILO Conventions Nos. 100, 111 and 190, as essential tools for achieving equality, dignity, and justice in the world of work. #GPM2026

On the sidelines of the 356th Session of the @ilo Governing Body, ACTRAV Director @oliverroepke met with workers’ delegates from around the world to discuss ways to further strengthen the ILO's support to its constituents amid the ongoing reform process. He held bilateral exchanges with several trade union leaders, including: -@luc_triangle , General Secretary, ITUC -Rafael Freire, General Secretary, TUCA‑CSA -Joel Akhator Odigie, General Secretary, ITUC‑Africa -Aliaksandr Yarashuk, Chair, Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) -Joaquina Maria Veiga de Almeida, Secretary-General, UNTC‑CS (Cabo Verde) -Daniel Mongo, General Secretary, Confédération Syndicale Congolaise -Amar Takdjout, General Secretary, Union Générale des Travailleurs Algériens (UGTA). He also met with Members of the Workers’ Group from the Americas, joined by Ana Virgínia Moreira Gomes , ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Throughout these discussions, Oliver Röpke reaffirmed the ILO’s steadfast commitment to supporting workers’ organizations, defending workers’ rights, and advancing social justice across all regions.

The ACTRAV Director, @oliverroepke , met with the Namibian delegation led by Mr. Benetus Tuyoleni Nangombe, Executive Director at the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations. During the meeting, Oliver reaffirmed the ILO’s support for strong social dialogue and the ongoing pension reform efforts in Namibia. ACTRAV remains committed to supporting trade unions to engage effectively and constructively through meaningful social dialogue, contributing to the successful implementation of the National Pension Fund and the Medical Benefit Fund.

Attending the 356th Session of the @ilo Governing Body, Aliaksandr Yarashuk, Chair of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), expressed his deep gratitude for the solidarity and support shown by the ILO and the Workers’ Group during his detention in #Belarus. He also called for continued support for all other trade union leaders and members who remain detained in the country. During this session, the ILO Governing Body will examine country‑specific developments, including follow‑ups on the implementation of article 33 related to Belarus.

Alongside the 356th Session of the @ilo Governing Body, ACTRAV Director Oliver Röpke held a productive meeting today with H.E. Marieme Mint Boidiel Houmeid, Minister of Labour and Public Service of Mauritania, accompanied by H.E. Aicha Vall Verges, Ambassador of Mauritania to the United Nations in Geneva, and her delegation. During the discussion, Oliver Röpke reaffirmed the ILO's commitment to supporting its constituents in advancing decent work, particularly Mauritanian trade unions, and strengthening their role in national efforts through social dialogue. The Minister welcomed enhanced cooperation aimed at reinforcing the institutional capacities of constituents, particularly the most representative trade unions, to better engage in shaping socio-economic policies. Cooperation will continue in key priority areas, including: -advancing formalization efforts, -extending social protection, -promoting social dialogue and collective bargaining, and -reinforcing respect for international labour standards.