On 10 June 2022, the members of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) recognised occupational health and safety (OHS) as a fundamental principle.
This decision was taken at the 110th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. Elmer «Bong» Labog is president of the Philippine trade union Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU). He came to Switzerland at the head of the Philippine trade union delegation. We spoke to him during a visit to their Belgian partner organisations ACV and ACV Puls.
The International Labour Conference is an annual consultation between representatives of governments, employers and employees. Elmer explains the significance of recognising health and safety at work as a fundamental principle: «This is a historic step for occupational safety and health, as many factories do not recognise OSH standards as a necessary component of the workplace. This means that countries, whether or not they have prescribed such a convention, are obliged to apply health and safety standards in the workplace..”
A step forward for healthy working conditions
ILO conventions are binding when ratified at national level. Recognised as a fundamental principle, Under the ILO Convention, all ILO Member States are expected to ratify and comply with the relevant Conventions «in practice», and are therefore subject to close monitoring. As a result, the pressure on Member States to respect health and safety at work is increased, and monitoring becomes stronger than for a normal convention. That's a big step!
The other four fundamental principles of the ILO are freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
