ILO and ARELCIT Sign MoU to Advance Labour Rights and Decent Work in Spain

The partnership is designed to leverage Spain’s university network to promote the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, a global framework focused on fair employment, workers’ rights, and inclusive economic growth.

In a move aimed at strengthening labour rights and advancing social justice, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Association of University Centers for Labor Relations and Labor Sciences (ARELCIT) have signed a new collaboration agreement to deepen cooperation across research, training, and academic outreach in Spain.

The agreement was formalised by Alejandro Díaz Moreno, President of ARELCIT, and Félix Peinado Castillo, Director of the ILO Office for Spain, marking a significant step in aligning academic expertise with global labour standards.

Bridging Academia and Policy for Labour Reform

The partnership is designed to leverage Spain’s university network to promote the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, a global framework focused on fair employment, workers’ rights, and inclusive economic growth.

Through this collaboration, both organisations aim to:

• Develop joint research projects on labour relations and workplace trends

• Expand training programmes for students, professionals, and policymakers

• Strengthen knowledge transfer between academia and public institutions

• Promote evidence-based policymaking in labour and employment sectors

The agreement positions universities as key actors in shaping the future of work, particularly in a rapidly evolving labour market influenced by digitalisation, demographic shifts, and new employment models.

Expanding the Reach of ILO Research and Standards

A central component of the partnership is the wider dissemination of ILO research, reports, and policy frameworks through Spain’s academic institutions.

By embedding ILO insights within university curricula and research initiatives, the collaboration aims to:

• Increase awareness of international labour standards

• Support the implementation of fair and equitable workplace practices

• Encourage student and researcher engagement with labour policy challenges

This approach ensures that future labour professionals are equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of global labour issues.

ARELCIT’s Role in Strengthening Labour Sciences

ARELCIT, a private association of general interest, brings a strong academic and institutional network to the partnership.

Its core functions include:

• Promoting and defending the field of labour relations and labour sciences

• Disseminating research to public and private sector stakeholders

• Facilitating collaboration to improve teaching quality and research outcomes

Through this agreement, ARELCIT will act as a bridge between universities and international organisations, amplifying the impact of labour research across Spain.

Advancing Social Justice Through Education

The collaboration underscores a growing recognition that education and research are central to achieving social justice and decent work outcomes.

By integrating academic research with international policy frameworks, the initiative aims to:

• Address emerging labour challenges such as precarious work and inequality

• Support inclusive labour market policies

• Strengthen institutional capacity in labour governance

A Strategic Step for Spain’s Labour Ecosystem

The agreement reflects a broader effort to align Spain’s academic, institutional, and policy ecosystems with global labour priorities.

With universities playing a more active role, the partnership is expected to:

• Enhance Spain’s contribution to international labour debates

• Foster innovation in labour policy and workplace practices

• Build a new generation of experts committed to fair and sustainable employment

As labour markets continue to evolve, the ILO–ARELCIT alliance signals a forward-looking approach—one that places knowledge, collaboration, and education at the centre of building a more just world of work.