On 14th of September, the Government of Uzbekistan has deposited the instrument of ratification of the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) .

In depositing the instruments of ratification, H.E. Ulugbek Lapasov, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan in Geneva, stated: “I am glad that Uzbekistan joined the family of ILO member states that have already ratified the instrument. Ratification of ILO Convention No. 187 by the Republic of Uzbekistan will serve to further improve national legislation and to effectively implement international standards in occupational safety and health. We stand ready to effectively implement this instrument in cooperation with ILO experts. This work has already been started at a national level.”

When receiving the instrument of ratification, Mr Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Office, declared: “I am very pleased to be able to welcome Uzbekistan in joining the 55 other member States that have ratified Convention No. 187, which is one of the key instrument in the field of occupational safety and health. This Convention calls on member States to take specific measures, in consultation with the social partners, towards the progressive achievement of a safe and healthy working environment through the development of a national policy, a national system and a national programme on occupational safety and health. Convention No. 187 also recognizes the importance of developing support mechanisms for a progressive improvement of OSH conditions in micro-enterprises, in SMEs and in the informal economy. In ratifying Convention No. 187, Uzbekistan is confirming its commitment to the objective of improving occupational safety and health in a continuous and sustainable manner, with a view to preventing occupational accidents and diseases, in consultation with social partners”.

According to the ILO’s estimates, there are 2.78 million deaths a year due to employment injuries and occupational diseases. In addition to its enormous human cost, the lack of occupational safety and health has significant economic consequences, costing an estimated at 3.94 per cent of global GDP each year (or 2,990 billion US dollars), due to lost working time, interrupted production and the cost of treatment, rehabilitation and compensation arising out of occupational injuries and diseases.

Convention No. 187 is one of the key ILO instruments on occupational safety and health, together with the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) , and its Protocol of 2002 .

Source: ilo.org