Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - Lesotho (Ratification: 2023)

The Committee notes the Government’s first report.

Articles 2(1) and 3(1) of the Convention. Promoting the continuous improvement of OSH through a National Policy on occupational safety and health (OSH). The Committee notes that a National OSH Policy was adopted in 2020, following tripartite consultations and with the aim to provide guidelines for establishing and implementing programmes that will prevent workplace hazards, accidents and diseases so as to protect workers’ lives in all economic sectors. The Committee notes that the Policy is to be reviewed every 5 years. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the Policy, as well as on the results achieved. It also requests the Government to provide information on whether a review of the Policy has taken place and indicate how this review will contribute to the formulation of the Policy for the subsequent period with the aim to promote the continuous improvement of OSH.

Article 2(3). Measures that could be taken, in consultation with social partners, to ratify relevant OSH Conventions. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether specific consideration has been given to measures that could be taken to ratify relevant OSH Conventions and to provide information on the outcome of the consultations held with the social partners in this respect.

Articles 4(1) and 4(2)(a). Progressive development and periodic review of the national system in consultation with social partners. Review of OSH laws and regulations. The Committee notes that the main implementing legislation pertaining to OSH is the OSH Act of 2024. The Government indicates in its report that supporting regulations have been developed and are currently on draft form. Taking note of the new legislative developments, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the progress made towards the adoption of the new OSH Regulations, and to provide copies once adopted.

Article 4(2)(b). Establishment of a central Body. The Committee notes that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is responsible for OSH, including through its Inspectorate. It also notes that the OSH Act of 2024 envisages the establishment of an OSH Directorate within the Ministry of Labour and Employment that will oversee compliance and promote cooperation at the enterprise level between management, workers and their representatives. The OSH Act of 2024 also prescribes a series of duties to the Director of OSH. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the progress made towards the establishment of the OSH Directorate.

Article 4(2)(c). Mechanisms for ensuring compliance with national laws and regulations. With reference to its comments under the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the provisions of the OSH Act 2024 establishing fines and penalties for OSH violation.

Article 4(3)(e). Research. The Committee notes that research is one of the strategic objectives identified by the National OSH Policy of 2020. Furthermore, according to the OSH Act of 2024 the Director of OSH shall promote and support research on OSH. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken or envisaged to promote research on OSH.

Article 4(3)(f). Mechanism for the collection and analysis of data on occupational injuries and disease. The Committee notes that the OSH Act of 2024 provides for procedures for the notification of occupational accidents and diseases by employers. In its comments under Convention No. 155, the Committee noted that the labour inspection reports for 2022–23 and 2023–24 do not include information on occupational diseases and only the labour inspection report for 2022–23 included information on industrial accidents. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to establish a mechanism for the collection and analysis of data on occupational injuries and diseases in accordance with Article 4, paragraph 3(f) of the Convention.With regard to measures taken or envisaged to improve the notification of industrial accidents and cases of occupational diseases to the labour inspectorate, the Committee requests the Government to refer to its comments regarding the application of Article 14 of Convention No. 81 and Article 11(c) of Convention No. 155.

Article 4(3)(g). Collaboration with insurance and social security schemes covering occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether measures have been taken or envisaged to provide for collaboration between the authorities responsible for OSH and relevant insurance or social security schemes.

Article 4(3)(h).Support mechanisms for progressive improvement of OSH conditions in microenterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal economy. The Committee notes that the National OSH Policy of 2020 covers all workers and employers, including in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the informal sector, which is a significant part of the economy. According to the Policy, SMEs and informal businesses face challenges like limited funding, low OSH awareness, and poor working conditions, so the Policy requires special attention to OSH measures and training on OSH, with local authorities playing a key role. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to provide support mechanisms for a progressive improvement of OSH conditions in microenterprises, SMEs and the informal economy, including in the context of implementing the National OSH Policy.

Article 5. National OSH programme. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that a draft National OSH Policy implementation plan has been developed together with a supporting monitoring and evaluation framework by a tripartite task team and is currently awaiting approval by the National Advisory Council for Occupational Safety Health and Welfare. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed regarding the adoption and implementation of the plan, as well as its monitoring and periodical review in accordance with Article 5(1). The Committee also requests the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that the national OSH programme covers the elements under Article 5(2)(a)–(e), that is widely publicized and, to the extent possible, endorsed and launched by the highest national authorities, in accordance with Article 5(3).

In addition, the Committee recalls the pending comment regarding Convention No. 155, adopted in 2024, as well as the pending comment regarding the Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167), adopted by the Committee in 2021. The Government will be requested to reply to those comments in accordance with the reporting cycle.