Meeting examines ILO Conventions for a safe work environment

The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has held a public hearing for its inquiries into two International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions: No. 187: Promoting Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention and No. 191: Safe and Healthy Working Environment (Consequential Amendments) Convention.

These conventions effectively elevate ‘a safe and healthy working environment’ to a fundamental principle and right at work in the ILO Declaration on the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in 2022.

Committee Chair Josh Wilson MP said Convention No. 187 aims to advance the rights of workers to a safe and healthy working environment and to require national policies to prevent workplace injuries, diseases and death. “Convention No. 191 amends several other ILO conventions to ensure that they appropriately reflect the right to a safe and healthy working environment,” Wilson said.

The Committee heard from witnesses from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The program for this hearing is available on the Committee website, along with further information about the inquiry.

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