Indigenous and tribal peoples

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  • ©ILO
  • ©ILO
  • ©ILO
  • ©M. Schlanbusch
  • ©ILO
  • ©IWGIA
  • ©S. Errico
  • ©R.K. Dhir
  • ©ILO
  • ©I.M. Puscas
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  1. The ILO has been engaged with indigenous and tribal peoples’ issues since the 1920s. It is responsible for the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), the only international treaty open for ratification that deals exclusively with the rights of these peoples. The ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, with gender equality and non-discrimination as a cross-cutting concern, serves as a framework for indigenous and tribal peoples’ empowerment. Access to decent work enables indigenous women and men to harness their potential as change agents in poverty reduction, sustainable development and climate change action.

Focus on indigenous and tribal peoples' rights

  1.  © T.Lee

    International Labour Standards regarding indigenous and tribal peoples

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    Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No.169)

  3. ILO's strategy on Indigenous peoples’ rights for inclusive and sustainable development

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    Convention No. 169 TOOLBOX

Featured publications

  1. Exploring and Tackling Barriers to Indigenous Women’s Participation and Organization

    A study based on qualitative research in Bangladesh, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Cameroon and Guatemala

  2. Implementing the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention No. 169: Towards an inclusive, sustainable and just future

    This report examines the implementation of the Convention No. 169 and the current social and economic situation of indigenous people across the world.

  3. COVID-19 and the world of work: A focus on indigenous and tribal peoples

    This brief analyses the vulnerabilities of indigenous and tribal peoples in the COVID-19 context and identifies urgent and continuing actions to ensure their access to decent work and social protection.

  4. Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change: Emerging Research on Traditional Knowledge and Livelihoods

    This publication draws on recent and emerging research conducted directly with communities across Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Americas.

  5. Sustainable Development Goals: Indigenous Peoples in Focus

    The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes that decent work is both a means and an end to achieve sustainable development and eradicate poverty. Accordingly, the ILO Decent Work Agenda has a fundamental role to play in mitigating the specific social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities of indigenous peoples, and tackling their high levels of poverty.

Indigenous Peoples: Agents of Change

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