Do international treaties have an impact only on ratifying States? The influence of the ILO Maternity Protection Conventions in 160 countries between 1883 and 2018

Abstract

Contrary to the expectation that only ratifying States comply with ILO Conventions, this article argues that even non‐ratifying States improve their domestic standards consistent with ILO Conventions to enhance their legitimacy. Using a new historical database, I track changes in maternity leave provisions in 160 countries between 1883 and 2018 in the light of the International Labour Conference's adoption of the Maternity Protection Conventions. The empirical findings confirm that both non‐ratifying and ratifying States expanded the terms and conditions of their paid maternity leave policies shortly thereafter.