Convention No. 107

The ILO and indigenous peoples

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) showed its interest in the situation of indigenous and tribal peoples early on, shortly after its creation in 1919. In 1921, the organisation undertook studies on the situation of indigenous workers and subsequently in 1926 the Committee of Experts on Native Labour was established to set up standards for the protection of indigenous workers. The work of this committee formed the basis of several conventions. In 1953, the ILO published an important study concerning the living and working conditions of indigenous and tribal populations in all the parts of the world. During the same year, the United Nations launched the Andean Indian Programme, in which the ILO had an active part. In 1957, during the 39th session of the International Labour Conference, the Committee on Indigenous Populations (Conference Committee) discussed the draft text of a convention and a recommendation relating to indigenous populations in independent countries. After receiving the replies of governments to a questionnaire, the International Labour Conference adopted at its 40th session the Convention concerning the Protection and Integration of Indigenous and Other Tribal and Semi-Tribal Populations in Independent Countries, No. 107 (Convention No. 107) and its accompanying Indigenous and Tribal Populations Recommendation (Recommendation No. 104). Convention No. 107 was the first international convention that focused specifically on the rights of indigenous peoples.