The International Labour Organisation and the EU – Old Friends with New Goals

Abstract

The centenary celebration of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is an ideal occasion to look at its current position, possibilities and challenges from the perspective of its long-lasting relation with the EU. This paper looks at the current state of affairs and how it has been achieved. It looks at the history of good cooperation of ILO and EU from the legal point of view highlighting some moments, when the ILO law has been ahead in social protection of workers, whilst showing that currently the EU is taking the lead in many fields. By commenting on recent basic documents of both the EU and ILO, the conclusion can be made that the solid and real interaction between both ‘legal systems’ can significantly contribute to more solidarity and decent work around the world.