International Labour Law

Labour standards no longer stop at the border. A South African company that exports, operates in the region, sends staff abroad or supplies a European buyer is already inside a web of international rules: ILO conventions, regional human rights law, EU directives, foreign employment law and supply-chain due diligence obligations. This course explains that system in twelve practical modules, from the foundations of the ILO to platform work and AI. Every module shows how the international rules connect to South African law and workplaces, and gives you a case study, a knowledge check and a tool you can use at work.

WHO IT IS FOR • HR managers and HR directors in multinational or exporting companies • Global mobility, expatriate and payroll specialists • Compliance, ESG and sustainability officers responsible for supply-chain labour standards • Industrial relations practitioners, union officials and NGO staff • Lawyers and law students moving into employment or human rights work • Managers of cross-border teams, remote workers or contractors abroad

WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO • Explain the sources of international labour law and how they bind states, employers and individuals. • Describe the ILO's structure, standard-setting process and supervisory machinery. • Apply the ILO's five fundamental principles and rights at work, including the 2022 addition of a safe and healthy working environment. • Summarise key ILO standards on wages, hours, termination, migrant workers, social security and platform work. • Compare labour law systems in Africa, Europe and other key jurisdictions, including recent reforms in the UK, EU and India. • Assess a multinational's labour risks under business and human rights frameworks and supply-chain due diligence laws. • Structure cross-border employment, secondments and remote work, including governing law, forum and social security. • Analyse the regulation of platform work, AI and algorithmic management, and the just transition. • Use international complaint mechanisms, from ILO procedures to OECD National Contact Points.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS NQF 5 or equivalent work experience in HR, IR, compliance or law, and a working command of English. Completing MetaCo's South African Labour Law course first is recommended but not required.

DURATION 120 hours over 12 weeks (3 months), self-paced with weekly live sessions. Access for 365 days.

COMPLETION Complete all lessons in all 12 modules and pass the final assessment (80%).

The law is stated as at 9 November 2026. This course educates on the law; it is not legal advice. International instruments bind only the states that ratify them, and national laws change often. Check ratification status and current national law before advising on a specific country.