ILO Pushes for Labor Protections in UN Plastics Treaty

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is urging the inclusion of labor protections and social justice principles in the upcoming United Nations Plastics Treaty. At the fifth meeting of the International Negotiating Committee (INC-5), the ILO emphasized the importance of ensuring decent work and safe, healthy working conditions throughout the entire life cycle of plastics. 

“Workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals at every stage of the plastics life cycle, from extraction to waste-picking to recycling,” says Halshka Graczyk, Technical Specialist, ILO. “The treaty must recognize that decent work, strong labour protections, and the right to a safe and healthy working environment are indispensable for ensuring a sustainable solution to the plastics crisis.” 

Plastic production and waste management involve harmful chemicals, such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), lead, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), explains ILO. These chemicals, commonly used as stabilizers, fillers, and plasticizers, pose serious health risks to workers, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, and other long-term health issues, reports the organization. As many of these diseases develop years after exposure, they often go unreported in Global Burden of Disease (GBD) measures.

Waste pickers, who are responsible for recovering up to 60% of all plastics for recycling globally, are particularly vulnerable to these hazards. The ILO is advocating for the integration of occupational safety and health (OSH) protections within the treaty to safeguard these workers, who often operate without adequate safety measures. 

A just transition, the ILO argues, must focus on human dignity and prioritize the health, safety, and rights of workers, allowing businesses to adapt while also protecting the workforce. The inclusion of OSH, as well as a just transition in the treaty text, would help ensure that workers in both the formal and informal economies are protected as industries adapt to more sustainable practices.

Despite the critical need for labor protections, there is limited data on the extent of plastic-related exposures in the workplace, so the ILO is calling for more research into the impact of plastics exposure. By advocating for decent work and social justice, the ILO seeks to ensure that the new treaty does not just address the environmental challenges of plastic pollution but also protects workers who are essential to the plastics life cycle.