Mission

In order to improve working conditions and labor standards for all workers, the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) is mandated to carry out the Secretary of Labor's international responsibilities, develop Departmental policy and programs relating to international labor activities, and coordinate Departmental international activities involving other U.S. Government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and nongovernmental organizations.

The sources of ILAB's mandate are Executive Branch initiatives, authority delegated by the Secretary of Labor, and Congressional legislation. ILAB is charged with coordinating, overseeing, and implementing a broad range of activities. ILAB coordinates U.S. Government participation in international fora dealing with labor and migration issues, operates technical assistance programs, publishes reports on international labor issues, represents the interests of American workers in interagency policy reviews, and assists in the formulation and implementation of international treaties dealing with labor migration, trade, and investment issues.

Vision

The process of economic globalization provides new opportunities at the same time that it poses new challenges. Because of the increasing integration of the global economy and the increased mobility of capital, technology and workers across national borders, the Administration has deemed it crucial for the United States to insure that worker rights and labor standards are addressed in global, regional, and bilateral economic interactions with other countries.

Hence, to insure a quality workplace in today's interdependent global economy, the Department of Labor works closely with other United States Government agencies to promote a stable, secure, and prosperous international economic system in which all workers can achieve higher wages, greater economic security and share in the benefits of increased international trade. Towards this end the Department of Labor monitors labor developments in other countries; represents the USG in fora in which labor standards issues are discussed; provides technical assistance to "countries in transition" where volatile economic situations can lead to decreased adherence to labor standards, and seeks to develop policies and programs that actually implement core labor standards. The central mission of ILAB is to assist in formulating international labor policies and programs that benefit U.S. workers. By closely monitoring new ideas, and programs developed around the world-particularly in other industrial countries-ILAB provides the DOL with lessons that can improve the implementation of each of these goals.

ILAB seeks to ensure that the United States Government recognizes and promotes international standards of excellence, and that its bilateral, multilateral, and international trade agreements assure that core labor standards are observed throughout the world.