On Tuesday 7 February, 2023, Mr. Ali Bahreini, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Islamic Republic of Iran to United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva presented the instruments of ratification for the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 to the ILO Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo.
The ceremony was also attended virtually by Mr. Solat Mortazavi, Minister of Cooperative, Labour and Social Welfare, 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 and concerning 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 stated "Our 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. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the 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, Mr Houngbo, welcomed Iran's ratification of Convention No. 155, one of the new fundamental Conventions which 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. As well, the ratification today of the Protocol to Convention No. 155 recognizes the importance of data collection and analysis, as a key step towards 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.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the seventy-sixth Member State of the ILO to ratify Convention No. 155 and the eighteenth to ratify the Protocol of 2002 to Convention No. 155. The Convention and its Protocol will enter into force for the Islamic Republic of Iran on 7 February 2024, one year after their ratification.
