Occupational safety and health as a Fundamental Principle and Right at Work ?

Summary

The transcript highlights the International Labour Organization's (ILO) long-standing commitment to protecting workers from sickness, disease, and injury related to work. It underscores the importance of occupational safety and health, reaffirmed by the Centenary Declaration and the COVID-19 pandemic's lessons. The upcoming 110th International Labour Conference will consider making safe working conditions a fundamental right, adding to the 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The Conference may also elevate specific ILO standards, emphasizing global responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of workers in all industries.

Takeaways

• 🛡️ The ILO has prioritized protecting workers from sickness, diseases, and injuries related to work since 1919.
• 💼 The Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work reaffirmed the importance of safe working conditions for decent work.
• 🌍 The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of strong occupational safety and health systems for society and economies.
• 🚫 Unsafe and unhealthy working environments are no longer acceptable.
• ⚖️ The right to life is the most fundamental right, emphasizing the need for workplace safety.
• 🗳️ The 110th International Labour Conference will decide on making safe and healthy working conditions a fundamental right.
• 📜 If decided, a fifth category of fundamental rights will be added to the 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
• 🏛️ This decision would reaffirm the constitutional right to safe and healthy working environments.
• 🔖 The Conference will determine which International Labour Standards, like Convention No. 155 or No. 187, will become fundamental.
• 🤝 By affirming occupational safety as a fundamental right, all Member States will be called upon to promote and protect workers’ rights to safety in the workplace.

Q & A

What is one of the core goals of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since its inception in 1919?

One of the core goals of the ILO since its inception in 1919 is the protection of workers against sickness, diseases, and injury arising from work, in relation to all workers and workplaces.

What did the Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work reaffirm?

The Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work reaffirmed the fundamental importance of safe and healthy working conditions as essential to decent work.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the importance of occupational safety and health?

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that sound and resilient national and workplace occupational safety and health systems are crucial for human wellbeing, economies, and societies.

Why is the lack of safe and healthy working environments considered intolerable?

The lack of safe and healthy working environments is considered intolerable because it threatens the right to life, which is the most fundamental human right.

What decision will be made at the 110th International Labour Conference?

The 110th International Labour Conference will decide on the fundamental nature of the effective protection of safe and healthy working conditions and environments, potentially adding it as a fifth category of rights in the 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

What will the addition of a fifth category of rights to the 1998 Declaration signify?

The addition of a fifth category of rights will reaffirm the constitutional nature of the right to safe and healthy working conditions or environments as a fundamental right.

Which international labour standards could be made fundamental at the conference?

The Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155) and/or the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 187) could be made fundamental.

What will be the outcome if occupational safety and health are affirmed as fundamental at the conference?

If occupational safety and health are affirmed as fundamental, all member states will be called upon to respect, promote, and realize the right of workers to be protected against sickness, disease, and injury arising from employment.

Why is the right to safe and healthy working conditions considered so important?

The right to safe and healthy working conditions is important because it directly protects the right to life, health, and wellbeing of workers, which are foundational to human dignity and economic stability.

What would be the significance of making certain conventions fundamental in the context of the ILO's work?

Making conventions like the Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155) and Convention No. 187 fundamental would elevate occupational safety and health to the highest level of international labor standards, requiring all member states to adhere to them as core principles of labor rights.