Slovenia Ratifies Two Key ILO Conventions on Workplace Safety and Harassment

In a statement accompanying the ratification, Ambassador Pipan emphasised the significance of the decision as both a national and global commitment.

Slovenia has reinforced its commitment to advancing safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces worldwide by formally ratifying two key International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions aimed at eliminating workplace violence and strengthening occupational health standards.

On 30 April 2026, Slovenia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, H.E. Ms Anita Pipan, deposited the instruments of ratification for the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) and the Safe and Healthy Working Environment (Consequential Amendments) Convention, 2023 (No. 191) with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.

The move positions Slovenia among a growing group of countries aligning national labour frameworks with evolving international standards that place dignity, safety, and equality at the centre of the modern workplace.

A Clear Signal on Workers' Rights

In a statement accompanying the ratification, Ambassador Pipan emphasised the significance of the decision as both a national and global commitment.

"By depositing the instrument of ratification of ILO Conventions Nos. 190 and 191, Slovenia reaffirms its firm commitment to a world of work free from violence and harassment and grounded in a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work," she said.

"This act sends a clear international message that such standards are not aspirations but shared obligations."

The ratification marks another step in Slovenia's long-standing support for the ILO's mission to promote social justice and internationally recognised labour rights.

Global Momentum to Eliminate Workplace Violence

ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo welcomed the development, describing it as a "clear and principled" affirmation of Slovenia's commitment to protecting workers.

"By ratifying Conventions Nos. 190 and 191, Slovenia reinforces the global effort to ensure that dignity, equality, safety, and respect remain foundational to the world of work," Houngbo said.

He added that the ILO stands ready to assist Slovenia in translating these commitments into effective national legislation, policies, and workplace practices.

Convention No. 190 is widely regarded as a landmark international instrument — the first to establish a comprehensive framework for preventing and addressing violence and harassment in the workplace, including gender-based violence. Alongside Recommendation No. 206, it provides governments and employers with practical guidance on implementing protective measures and fostering respectful work environments.

Strengthening Legal Coherence in Labour Standards

The ratification of Convention No. 191 complements this effort by updating the broader system of international labour standards. It aligns existing ILO instruments with the 2022 amendment to the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which formally recognised a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental right.

By introducing these consequential amendments, Convention No. 191 strengthens the global legal framework for workplace protection — ensuring consistency across international standards and reinforcing accountability mechanisms.

Experts note that this dual ratification not only addresses immediate risks such as harassment and unsafe conditions but also embeds these protections within a more coherent and enforceable global system.

Expanding Slovenia's Commitment to International Labour Standards

With the latest ratifications, Slovenia has now endorsed a total of 86 ILO Conventions and 2 Protocols, reflecting a strong and sustained commitment to international labour governance.

The move is expected to further enhance protections for workers within Slovenia while contributing to global momentum toward safer and more equitable workplaces.

From Commitment to Implementation

As countries increasingly recognise the importance of psychosocial safety, gender equality, and occupational health, Slovenia's ratification underscores the shift from policy commitments to concrete action.

The next phase will focus on implementation — translating international obligations into national laws, workplace policies, and enforcement mechanisms that deliver real improvements for workers.

In a global labour market undergoing rapid transformation, the ratification of Conventions No. 190 and No. 191 signals a clear direction: that the future of work must be built on dignity, safety, and respect for all.