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

Antigua and Barbuda

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) (Ratification: 2002)
Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161) (Ratification: 2002)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified occupational safety and health (OSH) Conventions, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 155 (OSH) and 161 (occupational health services), together.

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155)

National policy

Articles 4, 5 and 7 of Convention No. 155. National OSH policy. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that there are no new developments regarding the formulation of a national OSH policy. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to formulate, implement and periodically review a coherent national policy on OSH in consultation with the most representative workers’ and employers’ organizations, considering the fields of action prescribed in Article 5 of Convention No. 155.

National system

Articles 11(a), (b), (e) and (f) and 15. Obligation of the authorities to ensure that certain functions are progressively carried out to give effect to the national policy. Coordination between the various authorities. Noting the absence of information in this regard, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that the functions referred to in Article 11 are progressively carried out, and in particular: Article 11(a) (determining conditions on workplace design, construction, layout, operation, and equipment safety), Article 11(b) (prohibition and control of certain processes and substances or agents), Article 11(e) (annual publication of information) and Article 11(f) (systems to assess the risks of chemical, physical, and biological agents). It also requests the Government to provide information on the arrangements adopted to ensure coordination between authorities and bodies.

Articles 13 and 19(f). Protection of a worker who has removed themselves from a work situation which they have reasonable justification to believe presents an imminent and serious danger to their life or health from undue consequences. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure protection against undue consequences of workers who have removed themselves from a work situation which they have reasonable justification to believe presents an imminent and serious danger to their life or health and to ensure that such workers are not required to return to work situations while the imminent and serious danger is continuing.

Article 17. Measures to ensure that two or more enterprises which engage in activities simultaneously at one workplace collaborate in applying the requirements of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are no new developments regarding the implementation of Article 17 of Convention No. 155. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures in law and in practice, to ensure collaboration in applying the requirements of Convention No. 155 whenever two or more undertakings engage in activities simultaneously at one workplace.

Action at the level of the undertaking

Articles 19(a)–(e) and 20. Arrangements made at the level of the undertaking ensuring suitable conditions for all aspects of cooperation between employers, workers and their representatives. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Labour will receive assistance from the Canadian Ministry of Employment and Social Development in establishing workplace health and safety committees. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged, in law and in practice, to give effect to Articles 19(a)–(e) and 20 of Convention No. 155. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in the implementation of workplace health and safety committees.

Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161)

Measures to implement the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that no measures had been taken regarding the application of this Convention, and that there were no distinct occupational health services in the country with preventive functions responsible for advising employers. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are no new developments regarding the provision of occupational health services in the country. In this context, the Committee once again urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that full effect is given to the provisions of this Convention. It further requests the Government to provide detailed information on any measures taken or envisaged in this regard.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.