Highlights
The 2024 Vision Zero Fund Forum convened in Geneva from 9-10 April 2024, amidst significant global developments in occupational safety and health (OSH), evolving dynamics in work environments and supply chains, and the pressing challenges posed by climate change on worker safety and health.
The Vision Zero Fund, an initiative supported by the G7 and endorsed by the G20, aims to eliminate severe or fatal work-related accidents, injuries, and diseases within global supply chains. Administered by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as part of its Safety+Health for All flagship programme, the Fund implements projects aimed at enhancing workplace safety.
The Forum brought together over 100 representatives from governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, leading multinational enterprises, civil society organizations, academic and Geneva-based research institutions. Additionally, more than 1,000 participants joined virtually, underscoring the broad and inclusive nature of the discussions.
Key objectives
- Addressing current global developments to position the Fund effectively in tackling contemporary challenges in supply chains.
- Facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues guided by the Fund’s new strategic framework for 2024-2028.
- Exploring the implications of climate change on worker safety and health and advocating collaborative efforts for positive change.
- Emphasizing the critical need to enhance OSH standards in supply chains, fostering commitment, support, and resources for the Vision Zero Fund’s initiatives.
Photo gallery
Sessions summary
Welcoming Remarks
Vera Paquete-Perdigao, Director of the ILO Governance and Tripartism Department, emphasized the urgent need to protect workers’ safety and health, citing 2.93 million annual work-related deaths. She highlighted the ILO’s new global OSH strategy, approved in 2023, and the Fund’s complementary five-year plan aimed at improving workplace practices, legal frameworks, and collective action within supply chains.
Première of the Documentary
The Forum premiered “From Beans to Brew: A Journey into the Lives of Coffee Workers,” a documentary illustrating the challenges and aspirations of coffee workers, as part of the Vision Zero Fund campaign. The film’s screening and subsequent panel discussion, featuring experts from various organizations, provided insights into OSH challenges in the coffee industry and underscored the importance of a safe and healthy working environment.
Speakers:
- Gerardo Patacconi, Head of Operations, International Coffee Organization (ICO)
- Monica Alfaro Murcia, Legal and International Relations Officer, European Commission’s Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL); Member of the ILO Vision Zero Fund Advisory and Steering Committees
- Massimiliano Leone, Senior Programme Officer, Digital Media and Design Learning Innovation, International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO)
- Katherine Torres, Senior Programme and Operations Officer, Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work Branch (FUNDAMENTALS), ILO
- Moderator: Maria Munaretto, Senior Programme and Operations Officer, Vision Zero Fund, ILO
Session 1: Occupational Safety and Health in Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities
This session focused on recent developments in occupational safety and health, including the ILO’s 2022 inclusion of the right to a safe working environment in its fundamental principles. Key speakers discussed challenges and opportunities within supply chains, aiming to enhance understanding and implementation of effective OSH practices.
Speakers:
- Manuela Tomei, Assistant Director-General, Governance, Rights and Dialogue, International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Lilian Tschan, Permanent State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
- Tovar da Silva Nunes, Ambassador to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Brazil
- Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana, Minister of Labour, Employment and the Civil Service, Madagascar
- Luis Rodrigo Morales, Director of Policy, International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
- Eric Manzi, Deputy General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
- Moderator: Nozipho Tshabalala, CEO, The Conversation Strategists
Session 2: Vision Zero Fund Strategic Priorities 2024-2028
The session introduced the Fund’s new five-year strategy, “Realizing the right to a safe and healthy working environment in supply chains through collective action: 2024-2028.” It reviewed past achievements, outlined strategic priorities, and addressed challenges in maintaining momentum in improving OSH in global supply chains.
Speakers:
- Ockert Dupper, Global Programme Manager, Vision Zero Fund, ILO
- Joaquim Pintado Nunes, Chief, Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch (LABADMIN/OSH), ILO
- Kevin Willcutts, Deputy Director for the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking, United States Department of Labor (USDOL)
- Kris de Meester, Senior Adviser, Federation of Enterprises in Belgium
- Rory O’Neill, Occupational safety and health adviser, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
- Moderator: Nozipho Tshabalala, CEO, The Conversation Strategists
Session 3: The Fund in Action I: Collective Action – Partnering for Change
Highlighting the necessity of collective action to address systemic OSH issues, this session showcased how multiple stakeholders work together to tackle underlying causes of unsafe working conditions. It emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in improving workplace safety and health outcomes within supply chains.
Speakers:
- Mariana Infante, former Senior Technical Officer, Vision Zero Fund Myanmar, ILO
- Béatrice Chan Ching Yiu, President, Madagascar Export Processing Companies and Partners Association (GEFP)
- José Bertin Randrianasolo, General Coordinator, Confederation of Malagasy Workers (CTM), General Secretary, FISEMA, Madagascar
- Anousheh Karvar, French Government Representative to the ILO and G7-G20 Labour & Employment and Former Chair of Alliance 8.7 (2018-2023)
- Yann Wyss, Global Head for Social Impact and Human Rights, Nestlé
- Alan Stevens, Head of Strategic Engagement, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
- Moderator: Dorothee Baumann-Pauly, Director, Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights, University of Geneva
Session 4: The Fund in Action II: Impact of Climate Change on Occupational Safety and Health
Experts discussed the effects of climate change on OSH, emphasizing the need for both mitigation and adaptation measures to protect workers. The session highlighted how changing environmental conditions necessitate new strategies to ensure worker safety in a warming world.
Speakers:
- Lee Newman, Director, Center for Health, Work & Environment, University of Colorado
- Patricia Heimann, Head of Division, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), Germany
- Halshka Graczyk, Technical Specialist, Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch, ILO
- Laura Segura, Manager Partner of Services and Innovation, Unión Industrial Argentina
- Rory O’Neill, Occupational Safety and Health Adviser, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
- Gabriel Alejandro Real Ornelas, Occupational Health Technical Coordinator, Directorate of Economic and Social Benefits, Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS)
- Moderator: Manal Azzi, Occupational Safety and Health Team Lead, Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch, ILO
Closing Remarks
Vera Paquete-Perdigao closed the Forum by acknowledging the persistent high rates of work-related injuries and diseases, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address complex OSH challenges. She reiterated the ILO’s commitment to integrating all fundamental work principles and thanked participants and supporters, highlighting the documentary’s message on the human element in supply chains.
Conclusions
The Vision Zero Fund expressed gratitude for the successful second Forum, reinforcing its commitment to reducing work-related accidents and diseases in supply chains. The Fund seeks ongoing support to translate its new global OSH strategy into impactful actions, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and respectful engagement in achieving sustainable OSH outcomes.
