Republic of the Congo
Introduction
Building safer and healthier forestry supply chains in the Republic of the Congo
The forestry sector is a major component of the Republic of Congo’s economy and an important source of employment. With forests covering around 70 per cent of the country’s territory, the sector encompasses a wide range of activities, from forest management and logging to timber transport, processing and trade. Both formal enterprises and informal and artisanal activities are part of this value chain.
Forestry is also one of the country’s most hazardous sectors. It accounts for nearly 45 per cent of officially reported occupational accidents, with workers exposed to risks related to machinery, falling trees and objects, manual handling, transport, biological hazards and difficult working environments. Risks can be particularly acute for workers in vulnerable situations and in remote locations, where access to training, supervision, occupational health services and protective equipment can be limited.
The Vision Zero Fund project supports the Republic of the Congo in strengthening occupational safety and health throughout the forestry value chain. The project combines improvements to the national OSH framework with capacity development and practical action in workplaces, with particular attention to strengthening the role of labour inspectors and social partners in promoting compliance and prevention.
The project builds on important progress in the country, including the ratification of ILO Convention No. 155 on Occupational Safety and Health in 2023 and the development of a National OSH Profile. At the same time, further efforts are needed to strengthen national policies, institutional capacities and preventive practices across the forestry sector.
INTERVENTIONS
- Assess occupational safety and health risks and identify the main drivers and constraints affecting prevention across the forestry value chain.
- Strengthen national legal and policy frameworks for safe and healthy working conditions.
- Support the development and implementation of strategies to improve OSH in forestry and wood-processing activities.
- Strengthen the capacities of labour inspectors, employers’ and workers’ organizations and other relevant institutions.
- Promote practical risk-prevention and worker-protection measures in logging and wood-processing workplaces.
- Raise awareness among workers and employers and promote a stronger culture of prevention.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The project aims to reduce occupational risks and improve working conditions across the forestry value chain. It will contribute to stronger national OSH systems, increased capacity among institutions and social partners, and greater implementation of preventive measures at the workplace. By addressing risks across the value chain, the project seeks to promote decent work and safer and healthier conditions for forestry and wood-processing workers.
