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.
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: Download the poster - 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