Geneva, 22-26 February 1999

Background

This meeting was one of a regular series of tripartite sectoral meetings - comprising representatives of governments, employers and workers - held under the auspices of the International Labour Organization to discuss current employment and labour issues of importance in the industry concerned and to provide guidance for action, at national and international levels, by employers' and workers' organizations, governments and the ILO itself.

As a basis for the discussions the International Labour Office (as the secretariat of the International Labour Organization is called) published a book-length report, entitled Voluntary inititaitices addecting training and educationon on safety and health and environment in the chemical industry. The report contains relevant information and analysis of the topic. Abstracts are available in Arabic, Chinese and German. At the end of this report there is a Summary and a list of Points for discussion which constituted its main agenda.

A press release on the Report highlights some of its key findings.

The participants represented the governments, employers and workers from a cross-section of countries with chemical industries, including most of the major producers. In addition, the International Organisation of Employers, the relevant international trade union confederations, and a number of other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned with this sector participated.

The Meeting was attended by Government representatives from Argentina, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States; 23 Employer members and 23 Worker members. Representatives of the Government of France and the Government of Nigeria were also present at the Meeting.

The Meeting exchanged views on voluntary initiatives affecting training and education on safety, health and environment in the chemical industries; adopted a report on the discussion; and unanimously adopted conclusions that include guidance and proposals for further action, as well as three resolutions concerning: employment creation in the chemical industries; industrial relations within the global chemical sector; and small and medium-sized enterprises in the chemical sector. The report of the discussion, the conclusions and resolutions, the summary of the panel discussions and other proceedings are contained in the Note on the proceedings, a published document that is the record of its deliberations and outcome.

Related Meetings and Papers

An earlier Working Paper reviewed most of the relevant voluntary initiatives in the chemical industry and was widely circulated for comments.

The last meeting of the ILO for the chemical industries was held in 1995. It considered “The implications of structural change for employment and training in the chemical industries.”

For additional information on ILO activities and publications on the chemical industries, visit the chemical industries sectoral page.

Documents related to this and other ILO meetings and activities can be obtained from ILO Publications.

Contact address for more information

On general chemical industry matters:
Mr. Norman Jennings (interim),
Sectoral Activities Department,
International Labour Office,
4, route des Morillons,
CH-1211 GENEVE 22 -- Switzerland
Tel. +41.22.799.7529, Fax +41.22.799.7967,
e-mail: jennings@ilo.org or sector@ilo.org

On chemical safety issues:
Mr. Isaac Obadia,
Occupational Hygiene Section,
Working Conditions and Environment Department
Tel. +41.22.799.6746, Fax +41.22.799.6878,
e-mail: obadia@ilo.org