Germany ratifies the Occupational Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention (No. 184)

© Violaine Martin / ILO

© Violaine Martin / ILO

GENEVA (ILO News) – On Wednesday June 12 2024, Ms. Lilian Tschan, Permanent State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany, presented the instrument of ratification for Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) to the ILO Director-General, Mr. Gilbert Houngbo.

In depositing the instruments of ratification, the State Secretary indicated: “While over one billion people, nearly a third of the world’s workforce, are employed in the agricultural sector, many, particularly the most vulnerable, experience alarming decent work deficits. Many agricultural workers are exposed to hazardous and unhealthy working conditions and lack access to social security and protection. In ratifying Convention No. 184, Germany is sending a strong signal reaffirming its commitment to promote and protect the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment for all workers, with a special view to agricultural workers all over the world. “

When receiving the instrument of ratification, Mr. Houngbo, declared: “The central importance of occupational safety and health was confirmed in 2022, when the right to a safe and healthy working environment was included among the fundamental principles and rights at work. I sincerely welcome Germany’s ratification of Convention No. 184, demonstrating its continued commitment to this fundamental principle and right. Agriculture is a complex sector where workers can face exposure to many risks, including pesticides and agrochemicals, biological hazards, dangerous machinery and challenging weather conditions and the Convention sets out key safety and health protections for agricultural workers against these hazards.”

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