[19980921]95-766_国际劳工组织：情况说明书.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web95-766 FUpdated September 21, 1998International Labor Organization: A Fact SheetLois McHughAnalyst in International RelationsForeign Affairs and National Defense DivisionSummaryThis paper provides basic information on the International Labor Organization(ILO) and issues of interest to Congress. It is updated periodically. CRS Report 97-942,The International Labor Organization and International Labor Issues in the 105thCongress, contains more detailed information on ILO issues of congressional interest.Background. The ILO was founded in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles andassociated with the League of Nations. The United States did not join the ILO until 1934,due to Congress refusal to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, U.S. refusal to join the Leagueof Nations, and Senate fears of a free trade plot to reduce U.S. protective tariffs. AfterWorld War II, the ILO became a U.N. Specialized Agency. It has 174 member countriesand the fourth largest budget of the U.N. system. Its purpose is to assist governments inraising labor standards and improving working conditions. It provides te