All news: Health and social services

New ILO working paper highlights “overwhelming” social protection financing gap for low-income countries

The working paper provides updated estimates of how much more countries need to spend to ensure universal access to essential healthcare and basic income security.

Healthy workplace

Message of support at the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024 in the Philippines

By Mr Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines at the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, 29 April 2024, Manila, Philippines

ILOSTAT blog

Safety in numbers: what labour inspection data tells us

Labour inspectors are fundamental to a country’s efforts to comply with labour standards, including safety and health. But the number of inspectors is getting smaller, while occupational accidents and diseases are on the rise.

OSH and climate change

Climate change creates a ‘cocktail’ of serious health hazards for 70 per cent of the world’s workers

The health consequences of climate change can include cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney dysfunction and mental health conditions.

Technical Workshop on World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024

This year, the core theme is the repercussions of climate change on safety and health at work. In this framework, the ILO office for Spain and the INSST are organising a joint technical conference on 25 April to commemorate it.

Fishing sector

New guidelines on medical examination of fishers adopted by the International Labour Organization and International Maritime Organization

The crew of fishing vessels need to be medically fit for their physically demanding work. New medical examination guidelines will improve and standardize these examinations, leading to improved health and safety in the fishing sector.

ILO discusses ways to tackle mental health issues at work

At a High-level conference on mental health and work, organized by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the ILO discussed how mental health at work can be fostered and briefed participants about the latest developments in this area.

Press release

ILO and C.I.PRE.S join forces to accelerate social protection coverage in Africa

The ILO Regional Office for Africa and the C.I.PRE.S. have signed an agreement to cooperate and share their expertise in increasing social protection coverage in Africa.

Privatizing coverage: Emerging threats to universal healthcare in Lebanon

Occupational Safety and Health

OSH measures key to prevent violence and harassment in the world of work, says ILO report

A new ILO report emphasizes using Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) frameworks to address the root causes of violence and harassment and to encourage collective action for better work environments.

Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators

Interview with Matthew Epperson, Business Director, Savvy Co-op

“Spotlight Interviews with Co-operators” is a series of interviews with co-operators from around the world with whom ILO officials have crossed paths during the course of their work on cooperatives and the wider social and solidarity economy (SSE)....

Universal Health Coverage Day 2023

Promoting universal health coverage with a rights-based approach: ILO steps up action for UHC Day 2023

The ILO is committed to to promote a rights-based approach to attain the goal of universal health coverage.

Social security

A step for Cambodia towards universal health care

A new social security scheme extending benefits to the self-employed and dependents is an important step towards universal health care in Cambodia explains Oktavianto Pasaribu, Officer-in-Charge/Deputy Director ILO Country Office for Thailand,...

ILO joins the UN in Viet Nam in welcoming the country’s new resolution on renewing and enhancing the quality of social policies

Resolution 42 outlines a strategic direction for establishing a comprehensive social policy framework in Viet Nam, aiming for universal coverage in social protection and increased integration between social protection branches and employment...

ILO explores transformative private sector solutions in forced displacement contexts

Through a three-day knowledge-sharing event bringing together a wide range of partners, the ILO placed the spotlight on the importance of working closely with private sector actors in forced displacement with a collective vision for sustainable and...

Occupational exposure to UVR

Working under the sun causes 1-in-3 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer, say WHO and ILO

New research has found that exposure to ultraviolet solar radiation is a major cause of work-related cancer deaths globally, and more needs to be done on prevention and mitigation.

Childcare policy

Closing childcare policy gaps offers high return on investment

There is a compelling social investment and gender equality case for transforming childcare policies so that they universally and effectively cover children from birth until the start of mandatory primary education, new ILO research has found.

Social security

Master’s course builds social health protection capacity in Asia

ILO provides fellowships to government officials from Asia to strengthen health protection systems across the region.

ILO, WHO, P4H and SPARKS Network Workshop

Universal social protection needed for prevention, preparedness and response to the next pandemic

ILO and WHO experts reviewed the impact social protection had in reducing the socio-economic damage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Occupational Safety and Health

ILO welcomes new global measures addressing workplace hazardous chemicals

Under a new Global Framework, some of the most harmful chemicals used in the working environment will be phased out.