Employers' Handbook on ILO Standards-related Activities

INTRODUCTION
and equal opportunity.” The moral and humanitarian motive for ILO standardsetting
has probably been the most important and convincing one, to date.
l Bad labour conditions are a source of unrest and therefore a danger to peace.
After the First World War, when the ILO was founded, this political motive for
standard- setting was particularly strong. In view of the numerous conflicts in
regions and countries with particularly poor labour and living conditions, it is still
relevant today.
l Failure by one nation to improve working conditions is an obstacle to other nations
wishing to do so.
This economic motive addresses the problem of countries which raise labour standards
unilaterally. Fears are sometimes expressed that these countries face higher
labour costs, which place them at a disadvantage in international competition.
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