Germany ratifies the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155)

© Alioune Ndiaye/ILO

© Alioune Ndiaye/ILO

GENEVA (ILO News) – On 9 June 2026, Ms Lilian Tschan, Permanent State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, deposited the instrument of ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), with the Director-General of the ILO, Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo.

In depositing the instruments of ratification, the State Secretary stated: “In 2022, the International Labour Organization declared occupational safety and health to be a fundamental right, giving Convention No. 155 particular importance. By ratifying it, Germany is sending an important signal aimed at bolstering occupational safety and health worldwide. From my professional experience, I know how important it is to minimise accidents and damage to health through prevention and how crucial it is to reduce hazards in the workplace.”

The Director-General of the ILO welcomed the ratification of Convention No. 155 by Germany and stated that: “With this ratification, Germany reaffirms its strong commitment to ILO standards and fundamental principles and rights at work and embraces a unique opportunity to shape a future of work that has safe and healthy working environments. With this ratification, Germany has now ratified all eleven fundamental ILO instruments.”

Convention No. 155 sets out the basic principles and methodology required for sustained improvements in the management of occupational safety and health. It provides for the adoption of a coherent national policy on occupational safety and health, as well as action to be taken by governments and within enterprises to promote occupational safety and health. The Convention was declared fundamental by the International Labour Conference of the ILO in June 2022.

To date, Germany has ratified 90 Conventions and two Protocols. For additional information, please refer to NORMLEX.