Though this new standard aims at protecting workers from biological hazards, we highlight this outcome, in particular, because the Convention mandates in article 6 for the implementation of reporting mechanisms to address any breach of national laws and regulations related to exposure to biological hazards, while ensuring whistleblowers who report such breaches are protected from retaliation. 

This was possible through the tireless work of many workers, employers and government representatives participating in the standard-setting Committee tasked with drafting and negotiating the Convention, including PSI staff and affiliates, who championed its inclusion and fiercely defended it against attempts to weaken the draft Convention. 

With Convention No. 192 as its latest addition, the ILO now has six instruments dedicated to anti-corruption and whistleblower protection measures

This new step towards the protection of whistleblowers indicates the growing understanding and awareness about the vital role they play – for instance, in safeguarding, like in the case of the new ILO Convention, workers’ health and safety. 

Convention No. 192 is the latest ILO instrument calling for measures to promote anti-corruption efforts and/or that require the protection of whistleblowers. It joins 5 previously adopted ILO instruments, making it the 6th – one Convention, two Recommendations, one International Labour Conference Resolution, and two Guidelines – that call for similar measures.   

These efforts are driven by PSI’s advocacy to protect whistleblowers as a critical component in the fight against corruption and tax evasion, which undermine the provision of quality public services. Yet we recognize that we are still far from achieving an ILO standard specially dedicated to the protection of whistleblowers – one that focuses on safeguarding the worker, the individual, reporting wrongdoing and breaches of the laws. 

To continue advancing such goal, earlier this year PSI partnered with the International Centre of Trade Union Rights (ICTUR) to produce a special edition of the International Union Rights journal focused on the protection of whistleblowers. This resource, that we make available to PSI affiliates here,  and features insights and experiences from academics, practitioners, activists, and trade unionists from many parts of the world, is a powerful tool for advocacy, which we encourage you to use it to strengthen whistleblower’s protections in workplaces around the world. 

On this day, we renew our commitment to protect those who speak up, to build a future where whistleblowers are safe and recognized for their invaluable contributions to society.