The ILO, the Jordanian Government and partners are implementing activities in efforts to help formalise jobs in the country’s construction sector. This includes upgrading skills for both Syrians and Jordanians, as well as supporting refugees to obtain non-employer-specific work permits.

National Occupational Safety and Health Frameworks

Realizing the fundamental principle and right at work of a safe and healthy working environment requires the development and implementation of a comprehensive, conducive and resilient national framework on occupational safety and health (OSH), as outlined in the fundamental OSH Conventions: the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, 2006 (No. 187).

A national OSH framework is a coordinated and structured approach adopted by a country to ensure the continuous improvement of occupational safety and health. It brings together three interdependent and mutually reinforcing components: a national OSH policy, a national OSH system, and a national OSH programme.

Convention No. 187 highlights the importance of these components working together as a coherent whole, supporting a national effort to build and maintain a preventive safety and health culture and to achieve lasting improvements in working conditions.

A national OSH policy is a specific, deliberate course of action adopted by a government, in consultation with the relevant workers’ and employers’ organizations, to prevent occupational accidents and diseases. It represents the State's formal commitment to ensuring safe and healthy working environments and sets the overall direction for national efforts in the field of OSH.

The policy typically takes the form of a written statement that outlines the government's commitment, the guiding principles for action, and the allocation of roles and responsibilities among the key stakeholders involved in OSH governance.

More specifically, common elements found in national OSH policies include:

A formal expression of public authorities’ commitment to prevent occupational accidents and diseases

The main aims and objectives of the national policy in the area of OSH

Guiding principles for national action on OSH (e.g., prevention, risk assessment, participation of employers and workers)

Key spheres of action, including workplace design, machinery and equipment, work processes, training, communication, and cooperation mechanisms

Definition of the categories of workers and sectors covered by the policy

Assignment of functions and responsibilities among government bodies, employers, workers, and other stakeholders

A mechanism for the periodic review and updating of the policy to reflect new challenges, technological advances, and changes in the world of work
A national OSH system refers to the infrastructure which provides the main framework for implementing the national OSH policy and programmes.

Key components of a national OSH system include:

Designated competent authority or authorities, responsible for OSH

National laws and regulations on OSH (See Support Kit for Developing Occupational Safety and Health Legislation)

Mechanisms to ensure compliance, including labour inspection systems

Arrangements to promote cooperation at the enterprise level between employers, workers, and their representatives on OSH matters

Additional elements of the national OSH system, where appropriate, may include:

National OSH tripartite advisory bodies to ensure consultation and coordination among government, employers, and workers on OSH issues

Information and advisory services on OSH

Training on OSH

Occupational health services

Research on OSH

Mechanisms for data collection and analysis on occupational injuries and diseases, such as recording and notification systems

Collaboration with relevant insurance or social security schemes

Support mechanisms for a progressive improvement of OSH conditions in MSMEs and in the informal economy
A national OSH programme refers to any national programme that includes objectives to be achieved in a predetermined time frame, as well as priorities and means of action formulated to improve OSH, and means to assess progress. It promotes a preventative safety and health culture and aims to eliminate or minimize work-related hazards and risks.

The programme should be based on an analysis of the national OSH situation and include specific objectives, targets, and indicators. It may also be supported by other national plans. It should be developed, implemented, monitored, evaluated, and regularly reviewed in consultation with the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations, and publicly endorsed by the highest national authorities.
The national OSH profile is a diagnostic tool that presents a snapshot of the current OSH situation, highlighting progress made and identifying key hazards, sectors, and priorities for action.

It serves as a baseline for measuring future performance and helps assess how well the national system is working toward preventing occupational accidents and diseases. The profile informs the development of the national OSH programme by identifying strengths, weaknesses, and priority areas. It also supports monitoring and evaluation by providing a reference point to measure impact, guide adjustments, and promote continuous improvement.
The development of a national OSH framework follows a cyclical process aimed at continuous improvement, enabling countries to adapt and enhance their national efforts over time, and to ensure safer and healthier working environments for all.