PSI position and priorities for the ILO Standard-Setting Committee on Biological Hazards

112th International Labour Conference PSI position and priorities for the ILO Standard-Setting Committee on Biological Hazards

A PSI delegation will be working closely with the Workers Group at the 112th International Labour Conference to bring the voice of public service workers to the critical discussion that will inform the future ILO convention and recommendation on Biological Hazards.

Daria Cibrario

Next week is going to be an important one for PSI affiliates as the 112th International Labour Conference will take place at the Headquarters of the International Labour Organisation, the ILO, from 3-14 June. Among the important issues that worker, government and employer representatives will discuss, there will be a Standard-Setting Committee on Biological Hazards , whose work will continue in 2025.

A PSI trade union delegation including representatives from Australia, Argentina, the Philippines and the UK will be working closely with the Workers Group to bring the voice of public service workers in this critical discussion that will inform the future ILO convention and recommendation on Biological Hazards.

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Next week will be an important time for PSI affiliates as the 112th ILC begins. A PSI trade union delegation, including representatives from Australia, Argentina, the Philippines, and the UK, will work closely with the Workers Group to include the voice of public service workers in this discussion that will inform the future ILO Convention and Recommendation on Biological Hazards.

ILC 2024 - Standard-Setting Committee on Biological Hazards

What are biological hazards and why are they important for public service workers?

Biological hazards include any microorganism, cell, DNA, or other organic material that may be of plant, animal, or human origin that can cause harm to human health.  This includes bacteria, viruses, parasites, bodily fluids, and their associated allergens and toxins.

The exposure to biological hazards can result into infectious and non-infectious diseases and injuries, such as tuberculosis, leptospirosis, avian flu and Covid-19, malaria, HIV, but also into cancers, allergies, psychological disorders and trauma.

Therefore, this is a truly important discussion for public service workers who are particularly exposed to biological hazards due to the essential, often life-saving nature of their jobs, and as they are on the frontlines and in the trenches of the multi-crises the world currently faces.

Which public service jobs are especially exposed to biological hazards and its consequences?

Among the public service jobs especially exposed to biological risks and their consequences are health and care workers, Public Emergency Services (PES) including firefighters; waste collection and disposal staff; but also of workers employed in water, sanitation and sewage; Funeral and cemeterial service workers; janitors; public and green space maintenance; park, forest guards and environmental services, among many more.

On 23 May PSI held a global affiliate consultation that identified a large number of public service professions particularly exposed to biological risks and to identify the key priorities and asks of public service unions for this discussion. This position is now available on the PSI website and represents the roadmap of PSI advocacy in this field. 

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What has the ILO done on biological hazards so far and what are the next steps?

In 2021 the ILO held a meeting of Experts, which examined and adopted the Technical guidelines on biological hazards in the working environment.  

In 2022 the ILO released a Report on Biological Hazards in the Working Environment. The report contained a survey which called on governments, employers and trade unions to respond.

As a result, ILO published the Report IV(2): "Protection against biological hazards in the working environment" in February 2024, which composites the responses to the questionnaire.

PSI unions have already contributed  to the discussion by sending 24 replies from different countries to the ILO Survey on Biological Hazards disseminated in August 2023 demanding that there be a strong Convention and a Recommendation filling the regulatory gap on this critical OSH risks.

Reflecting the replies received, the 2024 ILO report concludes that the ILC should “adopt standards concerning biological hazards in the working environment” and that “these standards should take the form of a Convention supplemented by a Recommendation”.

The baseline text we are called to comment on is on page 99-107 of the report and is available here for your comments and review:

  • Proposed conclusions – Biological Hazards (PDF)

  • Proposed conclusions – Biological Hazards (Word)

Additional Resources

The ITUC will be leading the workers’ group discussion and has prepared some briefings that can be of interest:

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this consultation and/or your participation or if you wish to share relevant resources with other PSI affiliates. Join us if you will be at the ILC in Geneva and get in touch if you wish to contribute even remotely. .PSI We looks forward to your participation and inputs.

PSI Contact: Daria Cibrario, Local and Regional Government Sector Officer, PSI, daria.cibrario@world-psi.org