The International Labour Organisation has initiated the process for the first international standard for managing biological hazards in workplaces.
According to a statement from the ILO, that was the fallout of the 112th International Labour Conference held from June 3–14, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The annual meeting made headway in biohazard regulation, reviewed care sector work conditions, and emphasised fundamental principles and rights in today’s dynamic work environment.
“There is currently no international regulation focused on biological hazards in the working environment. The consultations will continue at next year’s ILC, during the second sitting of the Standard-Setting Committee on Biological Hazards.
“The discussions could result in a new convention and/or recommendation, which would be the first international labour standard to be adopted since access to a safe and healthy working environment was elevated to a fundamental principle and right at work,” the organisation stated.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, ILO’s Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo, lauded the intense, productive and rich debates that had underpinned the ILC’s discussions.
