ILO's role and response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak

The unprecedented 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak poses serious health risks for workers in various occupations and has had a significant occupational mortality, especially among health care workers. These casualties add to the global shortage of health workers, which particularly affects the countries experiencing this outbreak. Within its mandate, the ILO is collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO) in specific activities to address important occupational safety and health and other issues arising out of this outbreak in relation to the world of work.

Resource list | 31 October 2014
Contact(s): Dr. Francisco Santos O'Connor, santosf@ilo.org
The ILO has developed over the years a wealth of OSH instruments and tools which could be of use for the protection of workers against Ebola infection at work. The ILO maintains close working relations and networks with employers’ and workers’ organizations.

The ILO has important roles to play in the protection of workers against Ebola infection at work which can include:
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- Work with governments, employers’ and workers’ and their organizations, health authorities and other interested parties in the formulation of national plans and programmes on the protection of workers against Ebola infection;
- Promotion of the participation of workers, employers and their organizations in the development and implementation of national policies for the protection of workers against Ebola infection;
- Promotion of sound OSH practice through activities such as awareness raising and training;
- Promoting workers’ right, including through the application of international labour standards;
- Promotion of collaboration between employers and workers in the control of occupational exposure to Ebola;
- Collection and dissemination of good workplace practices and experiences in the protection of workers against Ebola.

Relevant ILO occupational safety and health instruments

C81 – Labour Inspection Convention, 1947
C129 – Labour inspection (Agriculture) Convention, 1969
C149 – Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977
C155 – Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981
R164 – Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 1981
C161 – Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985
R171 – Occupational Health Services Recommendation, 1985
C184 – Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001
C187 – Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006
R197 – Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, 2006
C121 – Employment Injury Benefits Convention, 1964
R121 – Employment Injury Benefits Recommendation, 1964
R194 – List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation, 2002
P155 – Protocol of 2002 to the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981

Relevant guidelines and codes of practice

Further information

Web pages
Occupational safety and health country profile: Guinea Occupational safety and health country profile: Liberia Occupational safety and health country profile: Nigeria Occupational safety and health country profile: Sierra Leone
Statement
Statement of the Officers of the Governing Body of the ILO concerning the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease