The Government of the Bahamas renews its commitment to the promotion of occupational safety and health as well as maternity protection

© Alioune Ndiaye/ILO

© Alioune Ndiaye/ILO

GENEVA (ILO Info) – On 12 June 2026, Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, M.P., Minister of Labour, Public Service, and National Insurance of the Bahamas deposited with the Director General of the ILO the instruments of ratification of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) and the Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183).

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 occupational safety and health policy, as well as action to be taken by governments, and within enterprises, to promote occupational safety and health and to improve working conditions.

Convention No. 187 calls on member States to take specific measures, in consultation with the social partners, towards the progressive achievement of a safe and healthy working environment through the development of a national policy, a national system and a national programme on occupational safety and health. The Convention also recognizes the importance of developing support mechanisms for a progressive improvement of occupational safety and health conditions in micro-enterprises, in SMEs and in the informal economy.

With these ratifications, the Government of the Bahamas is demonstrating its commitment to protecting the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment, and to promoting occupational safety and health in a continuous and sustainable manner, with a view to preventing occupational accidents and diseases. The Bahamas have now ratified all 10 fundamental Conventions.

Convention No. 183, complemented by Recommendation No. 191, adopts a holistic framework for maternity protection, helping working women reconcile their work responsibilities with family life. Closely connected to the major human rights instruments referenced in the preamble to Convention No. 183, these standards address three fundamental objectives: advancing equality for all women in employment, safeguarding pregnancy, and promoting the health and safety of mothers and children. Bahamas is the 46th ILO Member State to ratify this instrument, a relevant step aligned with the implementation of the Resolution on decent work and the care economy.

To date, Bahamas has ratified 40 Conventions (of which 27 are in force). For more information, see the NORMLEX profile.