Working Papers, vehicles for disseminating information on a range of topics related to the world of work and the evolution of social and labour policies and practices for a given sector, are regularly published and widely disseminated. Background reports and issues papers, which provide more in-depth analysis on specific issues, are also published for discussion at international tripartite meetings and global dialogue fora.

Publications

The Sectoral Policies Department is the ILO’s repository of knowledge on sector-specific labour and social issues. Research and studies conducted, in line with the ILO’s research policies, deal with emerging and priority issues of strong interest for ILO’s sectoral constituents.

2022

  1. Publication

    Caring for those who care – Guide for the development and implementation of occupational health and safety programmes for health workers

    18 February 2022

2021

  1. Publication

    Caring for those who care: National Programmes for Occupational Health for Health Workers

    22 October 2021

    This policy brief, jointly produced by WHO and ILO, is intended to provide a short overview on the issues and recommendations for policy decision-makers in ministries of health and ministries of employment and labour; local authorities; managers of health facilities; professional associations of the various groups of health workers; and organizations of workers and employers in the health sector.

  2. Publication

    COVID-19: Occupational health and safety for health workers

    05 February 2021

    This WHO-ILO document provides guidance on occupational health and safety measures for health workers and occupational health services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also outlines the rights and responsibilities for health and safety at work for health workers according to the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The document is intended for employers and health-facility managers, health workers and their representatives, occupational health and safety experts, infection prevention and control experts in public and private health facilities and policy-makers at national and subnational levels.

2020

  1. © The National Guard 2022

    Briefing note

    COVID-19 and care workers providing home or institution-based care

    16 October 2020

    The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the already overburdened and understaffed home and institution-based care sector in many countries. This brief highlights the challenges faced in the recruitment, deployment, retention and protection of sufficient numbers of well-trained and motivated care workers. Sustainable investment in health and social care systems, including in the workforce itself, and in decent working conditions are needed to ensure the preparedness and resilience of the sector in times of crisis and beyond. Ensuring that care workers, together with their employers and other relevant stakeholders have an opportunity to make their voices heard is critical if they are to play a full and active role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  2. Publication

    COVID-19 and health facilities: Checklist of measures to be taken in health facilities

    15 July 2020

    This checklist applies the ILO-WHO HealthWISE participatory, action-orientated approach to prevent COVID-19 infection in health facilities and protect health personnel. HealthWISE is a practical, participative method for improving the quality of workplaces and practices in health facilities. This checklist with a focus on how to protect health personnel during the response to COVID-19 has been drawn up by the ILO (International Labour Organization) in consultation with WHO (World Health Organization) and with the support of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund of the joint ILO-OECD-WHO programme Working for Health (version 1, June 2020).

  3. © PJeganathan 2022

    Briefing note

    COVID-19 and the health sector

    26 June 2020

    The COVID-19 crisis is drawing attention to the already overburdened public health systems in many countries, and to the challenges faced in recruiting, deploying, retaining and protecting sufficient well-trained, supported and motivated health workers. It highlights the strong need for sustainable investment in health systems, including in the health workforce, and for decent working conditions, training and equipment, especially in relation to personal protective equipment and occupational safety. Social dialogue is essential to building resilient health systems, and therefore has a critical role both in crisis response and in building a future that is prepared for health emergencies.

2019

  1. Publication

    The future of work in the health sector

    06 February 2019

    This paper explores how changing technology, demographics and other drivers will change work in the health care sector. Such changes will provide opportunities and pose challenges to governments, employers and workers in the field.

2018

  1. Publication

    Decent Working Time for Nursing Personnel: Critical for Worker Well-being and Quality Care

    19 December 2018

    This policy brief highlights the importance of decent working time arrangements for the quality of care, and provides practical information on addressing working time issues with a focus on nursing personnel.

  2. Publication

    Back to the Future: Challenges and opportunities for the future of work addressed in ILO sectoral meetings since 2010

    10 May 2018

    This working paper summarises how issues directly related to the future of work have been discussed by ILO constituents in sectoral meetings held since 2010, as further material for reflection by the Global Commission on the Future of Work, as it carries out its important and ambitious programme of work. It has also been prepared to inform and inspire ILO constituents in specific sectors, who in recent years have launched their own debates and exchanges at national, regional and global levels on the future of work.

2017

  1. Publication

    Improving Employment and working conditions in health services

    21 March 2017

    This report has been prepared by the International Labour Office as a basis for discussions at the Tripartite Meeting on Improving Employment and Working Conditions in Health Services, to be held from 24 to 28 April 2017 in Geneva. It provides an overview on recent developments in the health sector and reviews challenges and opportunities for enhancing decent work in health services.