South East Asia lags on chemical safety convention

Convention 170 provides the framework for managing all types of chemicals in all branches of economic activity and prioritising prevention over protection. It requires employers to ensure chemicals are labelled and safety data sheets are provided. Moreover, it requires risks are minimised. Workers shall not be exposed to chemicals exceeding exposure limits. Also, records of exposure must be monitored and assessed.

Halshka Graczyk said workers must have the right to information and to remove themselves from chemical danger. Many countries struggle with weak classification, insufficient worker training and fragmented responsibilities.

Unionists from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia criticised governments and companies for prioritising profits over workers’ health. They said cost was being used as an excuse to avoid committing to international labour standards. Lack of safety data sheets and monitoring data is another key challenge.

After an exchange of views, unions unanimously agreed that higher safety standards are in fact good for business and trade. Companies should not use higher cost as an excuse. Instead, it shows companies conducted due diligence investigations and eliminated risks of doing business. Nothing is more precious than human lives.

Despite many laws and regulations concerning the handling of chemical substances in the region, none of the South East Asian countries have ratified ILO Convention 170. Now, unionists will study the gap between Convention 170 and national laws. Ratification is the ultimate goal.

“To examine the gap between the national legal system and Convention 170, a gap analysis should be conducted with the support of technical experts, international and local labour lawyers. The ILO may provide technical advice upon request from governments. It is also critical to develop and institute an OSH culture in every country,”

said Halshka Graczyk.

IndustriALL regional secretary for South East Asia Ramon Certeza said:

“No worker should have to risk their health, their livelihood or their entire life simply because they do not know what they are being exposed to. We firmly believe that workers have the fundamental right to know which chemicals they are working with and what risks they are exposed to and which measures are necessary to prevent harm. No worker should be forced to choose between their health and their job.”