Barbados ratifies 3 key occupational safety and health standards

© Alioune Ndiaye / ILO

© Alioune Ndiaye / ILO

GENEVA (ILO NEWS) – On 5 June 2025, the Hon. Colin E. Jordan, the Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector of Barbados presented the instruments of ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) to the ILO Director-General, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo.

In depositing the instruments of ratification, Minister Jordan indicated: “These ratifications demonstrate Barbados’ strong commitment to protecting workers, promoting safe and healthy workplaces, and building a national culture of prevention. By adopting these global standards, Barbados is leading the way in the Caribbean for occupational safety and health, ensuring decent work for all.”

When receiving the instrument of ratification, Mr. Houngbo, declared: “The central importance of occupational safety and health was reaffirmed in 2022, when the right to a safe and healthy working environment was recognized as one of the fundamental principles and rights at work. I welcome these ratifications which reflect the country’s strong and ongoing commitment to safeguarding this fundamental right. Further, I sincerely congratulate Barbados for the ratification of all ten fundamental Conventions. The ILO looks forward to continuing its close collaboration with Barbados in this work”.

In June 2022, at its 110th session, the International Labour Conference of the ILO adopted the Resolution on the inclusion of a safe and healthy working environment in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work, which declared Conventions Nos 155 and 187 to be part of the fundamental Conventions.

The instruments will enter into force for Barbados on 5 June 2026, one year after their ratification For further information, see NORMLEX .