The International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently reached a landmark agreement on the definition and operationalisation of a living wage, following its meeting of experts in February.

As a lead partner in the Global Living Wage Coalition (GLWC), ISEAL praises the ILO Governing Body's decision and supports the GLWC statement that welcomes the agreement.

The ILO held a meeting of wage policy experts in Geneva on 19 – 23 February 2024, including representatives nominated by governments, employers’ groups, and workers’ groups. The agreement was endorsed by the ILO’s Governing Body on 13 March.

The experts agreed the definition of a living wage as ‘the wage level necessary to afford a decent standard of living for workers and their families, taking into account country circumstances and calculated for work performed during normal hours.’

In a statement from the Coalition members, the GLWC said: “The Global Living Wage Coalition (GLWC) commends the ILO’s recognition of the importance of living wage and its efforts to advance discussion and action towards the provision of an adequate living wage for all workers. Decent wages are essential in reducing poverty and inequality, as well as in ensuring a decent and dignified life and in advancing social justice for all workers globally. We welcome the conclusions and recommendations reached by the ILO’s expert meeting, following its tripartite discussions on wage policies and living wage, and its efforts to support future action on these topics.”

Read the full statement from the GLWC.