Iran Ratifies ILO Convention on Occupational Safety, Health

Ali Bahreini, ambassador and permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, presented the instruments of ratification for the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Protocol of 2002 to the convention, 1981, on Feb. 7 to Director General of International Labor Organization Gilbert Houngbo. 
The ceremony was attended virtually by Iran’s Minister of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare Solat Mortazavi, who recalled “the determination of the Islamic Republic of Iran to persistently promote the occupational safety and health of workers. To this end, the ministry is implementing a range of actions, including the ratification of the convention, undertaking preliminary studies on enacting regulations related to the right to be informed and refuse hazardous work, as well as the development of disciplinary regulations on occupational safety and health at the workplace, and creating an integrated organization of OSH inspectorate.” 
In depositing the instruments of ratification, the ambassador said the Iranian government acknowledges the significance of guaranteeing safe and healthy working conditions for all workers, and it is devoted to promoting decent work for all. 
“The ratification of this convention highlights our commitment to this objective and sends a clear message to our workers and the international community that we are devoted to enhancing working conditions and safeguarding workers' rights in accordance with international standards. I am proud to say that my country is now a party to this convention, and I am confident that this will lead to improved occupational safety and health outcomes for our workers,” he said. 
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to ILO for its ongoing support in this process. We look forward to collaborating with ILO on the preparations needed for the effective implementation of the convention.”
When receiving the instrument of ratification, Houngbo welcomed Iran’s ratification of Convention No. 155, one of the new fundamental conventions that recognizes a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right. 
The convention sets out the basic principles and methodology for achieving sustained improvements in the management of occupational safety and health, in consultation with the social partners. In addition, the ratification of the Protocol to Convention No. 155 recognizes the importance of data collection and analysis, as a key step toward the prevention of accidents and occupational diseases. These ratifications are the first OSH standards ratified by Iran and affirm its commitment to respecting, promoting and realizing a safe and healthy working environment.
Iran is the sixth member state of ILO to ratify Convention No. 155 and the 18th to ratify the Protocol of 2002 to Convention No. 155. The convention and its protocol will enter into force for Iran on 7 February 2024, one year after their ratification.
To date, Iran has ratified 15 conventions and one protocol.
The International Labor Organization is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice by setting international labor standards. Founded in October 1919 under the League of Nations, it is the first and oldest specialized agency of the UN. 
ILO has 187 member states: 186 out of 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with around 40 field offices around the world, and employs some 3,381 staff across 107 countries, of whom 1,698 work in technical cooperation programs and projects.