ILO core conventions

The ILO core conventions are ten international treaties adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that establish minimum standards for workers' rights worldwide. They cover freedom of association, the prohibition of forced labour, the abolition of child labour, the elimination of discrimination, and occupational safety and health. In public procurement, these conventions form the foundation for social procurement requirements and human rights due diligence in supply chains.

How do the ILO core conventions work in procurement?

EU Directive 2014/24/EU explicitly references the ILO core conventions in Article 18(2) and Annex X. Contracting authorities must ensure that economic operators comply with social and labour obligations derived from these conventions when performing public contracts. Violations can lead to rejection of a tender or exclusion from the process entirely.

In practice, contracting authorities include social clauses in their tender documents requiring suppliers and subcontractors to demonstrate compliance throughout the supply chain — especially for high-risk categories like textiles, ICT equipment, and construction materials.

The ten core conventions

The conventions are grouped into five categories:

• Freedom of association: No. 87 (freedom of association) and No. 98 (collective bargaining)
• Forced labour: No. 29 (prohibition of forced labour) and No. 105 (abolition of forced labour)
• Child labour: No. 138 (minimum age for employment) and No. 182 (worst forms of child labour)
• Discrimination: No. 100 (equal remuneration) and No. 111 (discrimination in employment)
• Occupational safety and health: No. 155 (occupational safety) and No. 187 (promotional framework) — added as core conventions in 2022

Serious breaches such as forced labour or child labour constitute mandatory exclusion grounds under Article 57(1)(f) of Directive 2014/24/EU. Tools like Cobrief can help suppliers identify tenders with ethical and human rights requirements.

The ILO core conventions bridge international labour standards and procurement practice across the EEA. Together with national frameworks like Norway's Transparency Act and labour integrity requirements, they ensure that public purchasing power promotes decent working conditions throughout global supply chains.