Health services sector

Health services are fundamental to society and the economy, with health care recognized as a basic human right essential for safeguarding the health and safety of populations. There is no health care without health workers. Securing employment and decent working conditions for health workers are essential strategies to ensure equal access to quality health services and to address global health workforce shortages. The UN High-level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth (HEEG) recognized the health sector’s economic importance and emphasized urgent investments in a strong health workforce, which also serve as an effective strategy for job creation.

The ILO promotes decent working conditions and labour relations in the health sector, through rights at work, employment opportunities, social health protection, sectoral labour standards and social dialogue, including through joint initiatives such as the ILO-OECD-WHO Working for Health Programme. 

The Sectoral Policies Department (SECTOR)

• sector@ilo.org