How do international labour rules come to life and who makes sure they matter?
A group of graduate students in the Master of Industrial Relations and Human Resources (MIRHR) program recently had the opportunity to explore that question up close through IRE1600H-F: International Developments in Labour and Human Resources Policy.
The course was co-led by Professor Anil Verma, Jeffrey Sack, and Brian Burkett, and enriched by a stellar lineup of guest speakers from international law, government, and global institutions. It gave us a front-row seat to the real-world dynamics shaping labour governance today. One of the most exciting parts of the course was a field trip to Europe, where students visited multilateral institutions in Brussels, Geneva, and Paris, including the International Labour Organization, World Trade Organization, and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
This deeply enriching experience brought our academic foundation to life in powerful ways. But before we ever boarded the plane, the in-class sessions gave us critical tools and frameworks to engage in those conversations with purpose and insight. In class, we unpacked big questions: Who sets the rules in the world of work? What happens when enforcement falls short? How do trade deals, corporate actors, and international organizations shape outcomes for workers around the world?
This blog series will explore these questions through two lenses: a view inside the classroom, where lectures and guest sessions covered everything from forced labour in global supply chains to the geopolitics of trade agreements and the rise of ESG; as well as our European field experience, offering what it was like to sit across from officials at the WTO, ILO, and OECD, and how those institutions are wrestling with the challenges of modern work.
Whether you're a prospective student, HR professional, or simply someone curious about international labour governance, this series offers a glimpse into one of the most immersive, policy-focused courses offered at the University of Toronto.
Stay tuned!
Mehreen Khan