3 Instruments

Conventions are treaties open to ratification; recommendations are guidance that creates no binding obligation but states the standard. Eight conventions are treated as fundamental: freedom of association and collective bargaining; the abolition of forced labour; the abolition of child labour; and equality and non-discrimination. A state that ratifies a convention reports on its application, and the Committee of Experts and the Conference's tripartite committee examine the reports — a supervisory system with no court but with real publicity.