The International Labour Conference (ILC), organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has recognised occupational health and safety as the fifth fundamental principle and right at work.

The ILO brings together trade unions and representatives of employers and governments from around the world.

Its original four rights were adopted in 1998, and have not been altered before now. The five fundamentals now in place are:

• Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining
• The elimination of forced or compulsory labour
• The abolition of child labour
• The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
• Recognition of occupational health and safety as a fundamental principle at work.

This change is the first extension of workers’ fundamental human rights in a quarter of a century.

There were 490 work-related deaths in Ireland between 2010 and 2019.

Trade unions across the globe will now campaign to increase the number of countries ratifying and implementing the ILO health and safety conventions. This can include giving workers the right to consultation over risk assessments, the eradication of long hours and toxic work environments and the right to refuse dangerous work.

Fórsa assistant general secretary Lynn Coffey welcomed the announcement and said workplace health and safety is of the upmost importance.

‘Fórsa has been working tirelessly to ensure workers feel safe and secure in their positions no matter the circumstances. The union is constantly dealing with individuals who may feel in danger due to unsafe work practices or are put into difficult positions by a toxic work atmosphere,” she said.

Lynn added that, as well as the risk of physical injury, difficult work environments can lead to mental health problems. “Recognising occupational health and safety as a fundamental principle in work is a huge step forward in the right direction,” she said.