Workers' Protection

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Workers’ protection covers a large number of issues, including social security, working conditions and environment, and occupational health and safety. Social protection has always been a central concern and area of action for workers and their organizations.

Occupational Health and Safety. Each year 250 million people suffer from accidents at work with about 2 million dying in work related accidents. That is more than 5,000 deaths every day. Through awareness raising, campaigning, negotiations and workplace controls, workers have contributed to the development and effective implementation of a wide range of health and safety measures benefiting workers and the environment. The protection schemes established have been developed with the extensive involvement of workers and in cooperation with employers’ organizations through collective agreements and the establishment of safety rules. Occupational health and safety has been of central concern to the ILO as well with over half of all Conventions adopted by the ILO having links to health and safety issues.

Social Security. The establishment of social security systems around the world is the result of lengthy struggle and social dialogue in which trade unions have played a significant role. It is important for trade unions, but also for employers and governments to be concerned with the future of social protection in order to avoid exclusion. Social security is a fundamental human right, included in the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), and remains one of the key mandates of the International Labour Organization. The Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 152 (No. 102) provides for minimum standards in nine distinct branches of social security (medical care, sickness, unemployment, old-age, employment injury, family, maternity, invalidity, and survivors' benefits).