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

Denmark

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) (Ratification: 1995)
Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) (Ratification: 2009)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of the ratified Conventions on occupational safety and health (OSH), the Committee considers it appropriate to examine the application of Conventions Nos 155 (OSH) and 187 (promotional framework for OSH) together.

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government which addresses its previous requests concerning Article 9 of Convention No. 155 and Article 4(2)(c) of Convention No. 187 (mechanisms for ensuring compliance) and Article 11(c) of Convention No. 155 (on notification of occupational diseases).

Application in practice of Conventions Nos 155 and 187. In reply to the Committee’s previous request, the Government refers to the reports published by the Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA) providing an overview of occupational accidents. The Committee notes that according to the data in these reports, the number of occupational accidents reported has decreased from 49,040 in 2023 to 47,955 in 2024 and the number of cases of occupational disease notified also decreased from 16,330 in 2023 to 121,815 in 2024. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the implementation of the Conventions in practice.

National policy

Articles 4 and 7 of Convention No. 155 and Article 3 of Convention No. 187. National OSH policy and periodic review. In reply to the Committee’s previous request, the Government indicates that in March 2023 an updated OSH Strategy 2023–2026 was adopted through a tripartite process, building on the 2019 strategy. The Government states that this agreement formalized a political decision to strengthen efforts in OSH through which the parties agree to future-proof working environment efforts ensuring a strong response to social dumping, labour crime, and illegal work, as well as reinforcing action in specific priority areas. The Committee notes that, according to the OSH Strategy, the social partners in the Working Environment Council, in dialogue with the Sector Working Environment Committees (BFAs), participate in translating the national OSH goals to the sectoral level by setting specific and measurable targets and by following up on their achievement.

It further notes that the Government has decided to abolish the Working Environment Council and that tripartite cooperation on working environment issues will be carried out within the newly established Labour Market Council from 2025 onwards, as set out in Act 220 of 25/02/2025. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the progress of implementing the new OSH Strategy and its review through the new Labour Market Council, along with the social partners. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further information on the activities of the Labour Market Council with respect to OSH.

In addition, the Committee recalls the pending comments regarding the technical OSH Conventions ratified, the Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115), Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139), Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162), the Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167) adopted by the Committee in 2023, for which the Government will be requested to reply in accordance with the reporting cycle.