Ratification Status of International Labour Organization (ILO) Fundamental Conventions on Occupational Safety and Health

Background: A safe and healthy work environment is key to sustainable development and in view of this, in June 2022, the International Labour Organization (ILO) declared this to be a fundamental principle and right at work, and recognised the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) as fundamental Conventions. The objective of this study was to assess the global as well as regional ratification status for ILO Conventions 155 and 187 among member countries, one year after their declaration as fundamental conventions. Methods: Updated ratification status was accessed in November 2023 through the ILO NORMLEX system, and presented in descriptive statistics using bar charts and line charts. Results: By November 2023, 80 (42.8%) and 62 (33.2%) ILO member countries had ratified ILO Conventions 155 and 187 respectively, with highest ratification numbers from countries in the Europe and Central Asia region, 62.7% and 56.9% for Conventions 155 and 187 respectively, and lowest ratification numbers from countries in the Arab states region, 18.2% and 9.1% respectively. Conclusion: Active ratification campaigns and awareness, especially in regions with low ratification numbers, can further improve the ratification status to achieve the target of universal ratification.