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International Labour Affairs

SECO's DAIN department (International Labour Affairs) represents Switzerland in various international organizations with mandates related to economic, social and employment issues: ILO, UN, etc.

It addresses issues at the intersection of human rights and the economy. It also contributes to the promotion of international labour standards, including in the areas of external economic policy, public procurement and policies to promote sustainable biofuels. DAIN implements economic development cooperation programmes aimed at improving working conditions. Furthermore, it cooperates with selected partner countries on employment-related issues by establishing high-level tripartite dialogues on employment and working conditions.

Ms Hélène Budliger Artieda, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, speaking at the plenary session of the 113th International Labour Conference on 5 June 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

The International Labour Organization and Switzerland

Switzerland is represented in the International Labour Organization (ILO) by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). SECO monitors the implementation of ratified conventions and reports regularly to the ILO.

Emblem of the United Nations

The United Nations (UN) and Switzerland

Switzerland is active within the United Nations, among other things, in the fields of economic and social affairs.

The Swiss tripartite labour mission to Vietnam in February 2026

Development cooperation in labour and employment

SECO implements development cooperation projects aimed at promoting fundamental labour standards.

The social dimension of sustainability

The social dimension of sustainable development

SECO is committed to the social dimension of sustainable development.

kitchen staff

Child labour, forced labour and human trafficking

Switzerland is taking action to combat child labour, forced labour and human trafficking.

Federal Parliament Building with FDFA and SECO logos

National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights

The FDFA and SECO jointly bear responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the National Action Plan (2024 - 2027) on Business and Human Rights.

Contact

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Labour Directorate
International Labour Affairs
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern