This article examines the relationship between the ILO and the EU as an example of the complex interactions between social standard setting at the global level and on a regional scale. Even though the two legal orders are independent and autonomous, there are a number of interactions between them. After outlining first the institutional framework and the various mechanisms of co-operation between the ILO and the EU, the article focuses on anti-discrimination law as one significant example of substantive law in the relationship between the two legal orders. Thus, EU-law has not only promoted the implementation of (certain) ILO standards in the field of anti-discrimination law, but it has also come into conflict with certain ILO standards, in particular with Convention 111.The main argument is that co-operation between ILO and EU needs to be strengthened in order to avoid further conflicts between the two legal orders.
International Journal of Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations