By Bimbola Oyesola, [email protected]
The International Labour Organization (ILO) wrapped up its 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) on June 13, with a remarkable adoption of the first international labour standards aimed at preventing exposure to, and protecting workers from, biological hazards in the workplace.
This, according to ILO, was a landmark step in global efforts to safeguard occupational health and safety across all sectors.
The convention was among many accomplishments of the conference as it also held a first standard-setting discussion on decent work in the platform economy, among other issues.
The Convention (C 192) calls on member states to formulate national policies and adopt measures on occupational safety and health that include the prevention and protection against biological hazards, and the development of preparedness and response measures to deal with accidents and emergencies.
It requires employers to adopt preventive and protective measures, in collaboration with workers, who must also be informed and trained on hazards and risks.
The accompanying recommendation provides detailed guidance on implementation, including risk assessment, early warning systems, preparedness and response measures (for example in the event of outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics) and training. It also further elaborates on the definition of biological hazards and risk and lists specific routes of exposure and transmission – such as airborne, contact, or vector-borne pathways.
Taken together, the ILC said the instruments offer a powerful, adaptable framework to prevent biological risks in every type of workplace, now and into the future.
The ILO Conventions are legally binding international treaties that may be ratified by member States, while Recommendations serve as non-binding guidelines
The plenary reviewed the ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo’s, report Jobs, rights and growth: Reinforcing the connection. “Through your response to my report, I have heard a broad consensus that social dialogue and democratic institutions are essential to foster social cohesion, build trust and support both sustainable enterprises and human-centred societies,” Houngbo said at the ILC closing ceremony.
He also noted that 18 instruments of ratification from eight Member States were registered during the session.
“Our mandate and our work matter now more than ever. We have come far, and of course there is far to go, and at times, movement may not seem fast enough. But we are duty bound to keep moving steadfastly forward on the quest for social justice, together,” added Houngbo.
Platform economy and other issues
The Conference also held its first standard-setting discussion on decent work in the platform economy, an important step toward improving rights and conditions for digital platform workers and showing that technological innovation and protection and fairness can go hand in hand. It agreed on key aspects, including the form of the instruments, a Convention with a supporting Recommendation, and set basic definitions and scope.
The proposed standards cover a wide range of issues, such as fundamental principles and rights at work, fair remuneration, social security, occupational safety and health, impact of automated systems on working conditions and access to work, protection of personal data and privacy, and effective access to dispute resolution.
The discussion, the ILO said will continue at the 114th Session of the ILC in 2026, with the goal of adopting both instruments.
The ILC also adopted a Resolution to reduce informality and support the transition to formal work.
The resolution calls for urgent action to improve working conditions, extend social protection, and create decent jobs, especially for those most affected by informality. It also requests the ILO to develop a global roadmap and support countries in putting national strategies into action.
The ILC approved, by an overwhelming majority, seven amendments to the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). The changes address violence and harassment on board, reinforce the right to shore leave and repatriation, and call for recognizing seafarers as key workers. They also improve access to medical care and ensure fair treatment in cases of detention or maritime accidents.
In addition, formal approval was given to the ILO’s tripartite contribution to the Second World Summit for Social Development, set for November 2025 in Doha, Qatar.
The Resolution calls for the active involvement of employers’ and workers’ organizations and assigns the ILO a leading role in following up and monitoring the Summit’s outcomes.
The ILC also adopted a Resolution urging Myanmar’s military authorities to implement the recommendations of the ILO Commission of Inquiry on freedom of association and the elimination of forced labour, and calling for strengthened international support and monitoring to protect workers’ rights.
The delegates of the Conference approved the report of the Committee on the Application of Standards (CAN), which examined the application of several ILO Conventions in 24 individual country cases.
In addition, during a special sitting on Belarus, the Committee urged compliance with the 2003 Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations on Conventions Nos. 87 and 98 and expressed deep concern over the Belarus Government’s continued use of criminal sanctions and judicial harassment against trade unionists engaged in legitimate activities.
It also examined the application of four Conventions and two Recommendations in the area of employment injury protection across ratifying and non-ratifying Member States.
The ILC decided to invite Palestine to participate in ILO meetings as a non-member observer State, ending its previous status as a liberation movement.
The ILC also adopted the Resolution on the Programme and Budget for 2026–27, including the allocation of the budget among ILO Member States.
The second edition of the Global Coalition for Social Justice annual forum took place on 12 June, on the side lines of the ILC.
The forum reaffirmed the Coalition’s commitment to driving real change and improving lives through concrete action and was attended by Coalition partners and ILO tripartite delegations.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader also joined the forum, along with Brazil’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Luiz Marinho, whose government co-chairs the Coalition’s Coordinating Group.
The forum also featured the participation of an important number of ministers and other government representatives, representatives of UN partner organizations, workers’ and employers’ organizations, civil society, private sector, and academic institutions.
The 113th ILC was held in Geneva from 2-13 June 2025. It was attended by more than 5,400 delegates, representing Governments, and Employers’ and Workers’ organizations. The ILC is the annual meeting of the 187 Member States of the ILO, the United Nations specialized agency for the world of work.
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