Four confirmed cases of avian flu (H5N1) amongst dairy workers in the US are likely a fraction of the real numbers of workers infected because the symptoms have been mild, and the workforce is largely composed of vulnerable migrant workers reluctant to report illness. The Colorado Department of Health and the Environment reported on July 15 that a total of five poultry workers have been infected with avian flu at a poultry facility where the workers were culling infected chickens. Reported clinical illness with H5N1 virus infection has affected 900 humans in 23 countries and has ranged from mild disease (e.g., conjunctivitis and upper respiratory symptoms) to severe or critical disease (e.g., pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and sepsis) and death. The risk to the human population is currently low, but if the virus mutates so it can transmit from human to human, the world may be confronted with another public health crisis.
These events, following on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, are providing the impetus for new international standards on biological hazards in the working environment. Discussions began at the International Labour Conference (ILC) held in Geneva in June 2024. The goal is to continue improving international labour standards since access to a safe and healthy working environment was elevated by the ILO to a fundamental principle and right at work in 2022.
In two weeks of tough negotiations, the Workers Group made a strong start by joining with most Governments to overcome employer objections to an ILO Convention on biological hazards, winning commitments to a Convention backed up by a Recommendation. The tripartite negotiations will conclude at the 2025 International Labour Conference with their expected adoption.
This year’s discussions on the content of a Convention made good progress and included:
- A broad scope to include not just infections but also poisonings like green tobacco sickness and non-communicable diseases such as occupational asthma
- A broad definition of health to include workers’ physical and mental health and general well-being
- National policy will be required to take account of environment and climate impacts on hazards at work
- Protection from dismissal when following public health requirements that affect the ability to work
- Adequate resources and support for labour inspection related to biological hazards
- Recognition of the different impacts of biological hazards on women and men and the subsequent responses required
- A requirement for a precautionary approach by Governments and employers where there is insufficient information to properly determine risks
Based on the discussions at the International Labour Conference, the ILO will send out, in September, a questionnaire to Governments, employers and workers, with responses due in November. The IUF Secretariat will coordinate activities in preparation for the ILC discussion in 2025 and provide guidance to affiliates on the questionnaire. Unions should request governments and their national organizations and federations to respond positively to the progress made and demand a comprehensive convention and guiding recommendation be adopted in 2025.
Click below to read the 2024 ILC resolution and proposed conclusions:
James Ritchie, Workers Group Spokesperson and former IUF Assistant General Secretary, stated, “While significant progress on winning a Convention backed up by a Recommendation was made at the International Labour Conference in 2024, unions must keep the pressure on governments and employers to defend the gains and to ensure that a comprehensive convention will apply to all workers regardless of their sector and employment status.”
