ILO adds health and safety to its fundamental principles

There are now five categories of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work:

• Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
• The elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour
• The effective abolition of child labour
• The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
• Occupational safety and health

The Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work were adopted in 1998 as part of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work; associated conventions (the "core labour standards") give them more concrete form. Under the Declaration, ILO Member States, regardless of their level of economic development, commit to respect and promote these principles and rights, whether or not they have ratified the relevant conventions.

The new fundamental conventions will be the Occupational Safety and Health Convention (1981, no. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational SAfety and Health Convention (2006, no, 187).

ILO press release