Synergies between security and productivity

The link between security and productivity is the subject of a new report prepared by the In Focus Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment (SafeWork). On 20 March, this report was presented to the Committee on Employment and Social Policy (ESP) of the Governing Body of the ILO at its 295th Session held in Geneva from 16 to 31 March 2006. Entitled Occupational safety and health: synergies between security and productivity, it specifically addresses "core element 9" of the Global Employment Agenda, endorsed by the ILO in 2003. The purpose of the paper was to review effects of safe and healthy working conditions on productivity and competitiveness and describes successful examples of ILO programmes established in small businesses in industrialized countries as well as in less developed countries.

The content of the paper received an overall positive echo from governments', employers' and workers' groups. All agreed that OSH is a fundamental aspect of business management and that OSH should not be regarded simply as economic or social requirements of corporate social responsiblity. The ILO Guidelines on OSH Management Systems received support and the Committee called for the preparation of further guidance under the ILO umbrella. The need to integrate OSH into national policy in all countries was underlined, in particular for those participating in the ILO Decent Work Pilot Programme. The ILO's support was requested for the establishment of a special framework for the promotion of OSH standards. In this respect, SafeWork recalled the importance of the forthcoming discussion at the next International Labour Conference of the Promotional framework for occupational safety and health which fosters a "preventative safety and health culture" to be developed at the national level. Finally, Committee members recognized the role of the Multinational Entreprises Declaration in setting high standards in safety and health.

Update of the List of occupational diseases

On the same day, 20 March, the ILO Governing Body Committee on Sectoral and Technical Meetings and Related Issues (STM) debated the effects to be given to the recommendations of the Meeting of Experts on updating the List of Occupational Diseases (Geneva, 13-20 December 2005).

Let's recall that the Meeting of Experts could not reach a consensus for the adoption of a single list of occupational diseases. The report submitted to the Committee on STM includes two lists, which reflect the positions of the Government and Worker experts, on one hand, and the Employer experts, on the other.

In the light of the discussion and the report, the Committee stressed the need for the Governing Body to convene another meeting of experts to complete the work already accomplished. Before conducting the next meeting, the Committee stressed that consultations were essential for the preparation of common ground. Further review of the scientific knowledge was requested, in particular on diseases that may be found in non-occupational settings as well as at work. Consultations between the employers' and workers' groups and the Office are essential. To conclude, it is expected that the next meeting takes place within the next biennium (2007-2008).

Click on 295th Session of the Governing Body of the ILO (16-31 March 2006) to access further background information and documents.