COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ILO CONVENTIONS VS. NATIONAL OSH LAWS: GAPS AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES

AUTHOR – AMIT RANAWAT, STUDENT AT CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TAMIL NADU

BEST CITATION – AMIT RANAWAT, COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ILO CONVENTIONS VS. NATIONAL OSH LAWS: GAPS AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (14) OF 2025, PG. 67-71, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has promulgated key conventions to provide a global standard for occupational safety and health (OSH), notably Convention No. 155 (Occupational Safety and Health, 1981) and Convention No. 187 (Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, 2006). This paper presents a comparative analysis of these ILO conventions and national OSH laws across selected countries, highlighting gaps between the international normative framework and domestic legislation, as well as implementation challenges. Drawing on the ILO LEGOSH database, national legal texts, and published literature, the study employs a qualitative gap analysis methodology. Findings reveal significant divergence in ratification, policy adoption, inspection systems, and preventive culture. Key obstacles include limited ratification, resource constraints, weak tripartite governance, insufficient enforcement, and lack of alignment with ILO’s fundamental principles. The paper discusses how these gaps hinder effective OSH governance, and offers recommendations for strengthening national frameworks a crucial step toward achieving safer work environments worldwide.

Keywords: ILO; Convention 155; Convention 187; Occupational Safety and Health; national OSH laws; implementation gaps; legal alignment