The International Labour Organization (ILO) convened its first railway sector meeting since 1994, the Technical Meeting on Decent Work in the Railways Sector, from 1–5 September 2025, marking a significant milestone in tripartite engagement at the global level. This was the first time in 30 years that governments, employers, and workers came together at the ILO to address the challenges and opportunities facing the global rail sector.
The meeting adopted a set of recommendations and conclusions that will serve as the foundation for future action. The outcome document that will be adopted by the ILO’ Governing Body will see major wins for workers, including possible future ILO action on occupational safety and health. A concerted and focused approach on railway labour by the ILO will be essential for guaranteeing consistent protections across borders and recognising railways as a public good and a cornerstone of sustainable, safe, and decent transport.
During the week-long discussions and negotiations, the Workers’ Group made important gains on health and safety, equality and gender, and the need for gender-responsive personal protective equipment (PPE), and uniforms. These areas directly impact the everyday realities of rail workers and will guide future discussions on strengthening international labour standards in the sector.
The Workers’ Group was chaired by Julio Sosa (Sindicato La Fraternidad, Argentina), Chair of the ITF Railway Workers’ Section Steering Committee, with Joel Kennedy (Unifor, Canada), Co-Chair of the ITF North America Railways Workers’ Section Steering Committee, serving as spokesperson. During the working party negotiations, Preeti Singh (All India Railwaymen’s Federation, AIRF, India) and Judith Nafula Sikhila (Railway and Allied Workers’ Union, RAWU, Kenya) were also nominated alongside Julio and Joel to represent workers in the negotiation process.
Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary, said: “The railway sector is developing at a rapid pace, and global action at the ILO has never been more important. These discussions are vital to ensure that the voice of workers is heard, that their rights are respected, and that the rail industry develops on a foundation of safety, equality, and decent work.”
Julio Sosa, Chair of the ITF Railway Workers’ Section Steering Committee, said: “This meeting has opened the door to a global experts’ meeting and, ultimately, the possibility of new ILO conventions that will deliver real protections for rail workers and strengthen this essential industry. Thanks to the dedication of the Workers’ Group with the strong backing of the ITF secretariat, we secured recommendations that bring us closer to safe, sustainable railways – and to, binding rights for rail workers everywhere.”
Ruwan Subasinghe, ITF Legal Director, said: “For too long, the railway sector has lacked the kind of binding international standards that exist in other transport industries. There are no dedicated International Labour Standards on railway labour. The recommendations adopted this week will give the ILO a clear mandate to move forward in this space. This is vital for protecting workers, ensuring fair competition, and embedding rail as a safe, sustainable backbone of transport systems worldwide.”
As soon as the ILO publishes the official conclusions, the ITF Rail Section will share them with affiliates, together with an analysis of the next steps for union action.
See the full list of participants on the ILO website.
