As of November 2007, ICEM represented 467 industrial trade unions in 132 countries, claiming a membership of over 20 million workers.

The organization represented workers employed in a wide range of industries, including energy, mining, chemicals and bioscience, pulp and paper, rubber, gems and jewellery, glass, ceramics, cement, environmental services and others.

The international headquarters of ICEM was variously based in Brussels, Belgium,[5] and Geneva, Switzerland, where meetings of the Presidium and the executive committee were held.

The Presidium oversaw the grand line of ICEM whilst the executive committee was more involved in the day-to-day routine of the organization.

ICEM worked together with human rights and environmental activists who were in conflict with multinationals such as Rio Tinto by raising awareness and funding research.