ILO Conference, 97th Session

Monday, 30 June 2008

Jonathan Gorvin, International Officer, attended the first week of the 97th Session of the ILO Conference in Geneva this June, where delegates highlighted new ways in which to promote a decent, sustainable world of work for all.

Unfortunately, this year's conference did not include a specific agenda item on occupational safety and health, however agenda items on 'Skills for improved productivity, employment growth and development' and 'Promotion of rural employment for poverty reduction' included mentions and discussion on the prevention of workplace hazards. 

The item on the promotion of rural employment in particular highlighted the need for social protection.  Amongst numerous other relevant comments, the Government of Zimbabwe urged that safety and health needs to be promoted in rural areas through the dissemination of information in a language that was accessible to rural worker communities.

The conference also provided a platform for discussions to take place on how IOSH and the ILO SafeWork department can work together on future projects.  In particular, cordial dialogue took place in regards to the 05 Edition of the ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety, a project IOSH hopes to be involved in on a number of levels.

While the full agenda for next year's conference is yet to be agreed upon, the conference is certain to feature an item on 'HIV/AIDS in the world of work', which will look at the prevention of HIV/AIDS infection through occupational causes, which is particularly relevant to the healthcare and manual labour industries.  The agenda item will also look at whether there should be training for Safety Officers on how to deal with HIV/AIDS in the workplace.

Attending the ILO Conference provides IOSH with the opportunity to further its international recognition, share our information and expertise, impact on local and international realities, cooperate and coordinate with other organisations, reinforce our position as an NGO and as one of the world's leading safety and health professional bodies.

Information and documentation on the 97th Session of the ILO Conference can be found on the ILO's website.