ILO commits to expert meeting to enhance athlete rights and representation globally

The International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations agency responsible for promoting dignified working conditions worldwide has agreed to convene an expert meeting on athlete rights and representation, which will be held in early 2026.

The decision to grant the meeting was taken by the ILO’s Governing Body, which met in Geneva last week. The Governing Body comprises the leading representatives of workers, governments and employers worldwide.

The purpose of the expert meeting, which is part of the follow up to the Inaugural Global Dialogue Forum on Decent Work in the World of Sport, will be to develop much needed guidelines on ‘fundamental principles and rights at work in the professional sports sector’. This will include supporting all stakeholders honour their obligations to respect the rights of athletes to organize and collectively bargain.

Head of UNI World Players Association, Matthew Graham, said:

 “The decision by the ILO Governing Body to hold this expert meeting is further affirmation that athletes are workers entitled to the same protections as all other working people. It is also acknowledgement that much more work is to be done to ensure athletes’ rights are respected, protected and upheld. We look forward to working with all industry stakeholders and embracing this opportunity to ensure it is a success.”

 Alexander Bielefeld, FIFPRO Director Global Policy & Strategic Relations Men’s Football, said:

“The ILO Governing Body has given an important reminder that when it comes to professional sport, cooperation on labour matters and economic development must go hand in hand. The time until the next expert meeting is an opportunity for employers and employees at the national, regional and international level to advance sustainable market development in the sports sector through social dialogue and collective agreements – including for example, player welfare, occupational health and safety and competition design.”

The meeting will greatly support a global sport industry that is at a critical juncture and facing many challenges that can be resolved through effective social dialogue.  As confirmed in comprehensive research by the World Players Association, there are widespread challenges to athlete rights including threats to athlete health and safety, abuse, violence and harassment, the ongoing struggle for gender equity, along with the ability of athletes to receive their fair share of the enormous revenue generated through their – often unpaid – labour.

Effective social dialogue and respect for the right to organize and collectively bargain has been a win-win across sports, countries and regions. It helps embed player rights, promotes the expansion and economic development of the global sporting landscape, and supports stakeholders in navigating key governance and regulatory challenges.

We have every confidence the expert meeting will be an important step towards the global sport industry fully realizing this promise.