On the 29th of October, Australia made history by ratifying the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Fundamental Convention – the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention 187. This milestone moment was marked by a tripartite ceremony involving unions, employers and government representatives in Geneva, Switzerland. The distinguished gathering included delegates from Safe Work Australia Members, the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Ratification of this Convention testifies to Australia’s standing as an international authority in work health and safety. Australia is paramount among the few nations to ratify all ten ILO Fundamental Conventions, acknowledging workplace health and safety as a basic principle and right. Amid measures like Bluesafe WHS Management System and SWMS amongst others, such steps show Australia’s commitment to embedding robust work safety systems throughout its diverse industries.
Incorporating the principles enshrined in the ILO’s Conventions aligns perfectly with recent efforts to enhance health and safety conditions for all workers in Australia. Endeavours under the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2023-2033, innovative instruction about psychosocial perils, inclusive of sexual and gender-based harassment, and prohibition of engineered stone benchtops, panels and slabs, all demonstrate a steadfast dedication towards worker well-being and safety.
“Being a global leader in work health and safety, Australia maintains the prime position among the first countries to fully ratify the ILO’s Fundamental Conventions. This underscores our unstinting commitments towards establishing workplace health and safety as a basic tenet and right,” says an official.
He further affirms, “Our use of tools such as the Bluesafe SWMS underscores the innovation and foresight that goes into designing our WHS framework, ensuring it is in line with international best practices.”
“We are thrilled that Australia’s pledge to guarantee the safe return home of every worker has been acknowledged on the world stage today. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with Safe Work Australia members on the important work that turns this pledge into reality,” he concludes.
Original article link: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media-centre/news/ilo-conventions