ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
The ILO's instrument on nursing personnel: Convention No. 149 obliges ratifying States to adopt a nursing policy that secures the quantity and quality of care, with appropriate education and conditions that attract and retain, to regulate nursing education and practice, to promote participation and negotiated conditions, to give nurses conditions at least equal to other workers in hours, rest, leave and social security, and to adapt occupational safety and health law to nursing. Recommendation No. 157 details the standards employers and governments apply: personnel categories, education, practice and discipline, career and pay, working time (8-hour day, 12-hour ceiling, 36 to 48 hours' weekly rest, 12 hours between shifts, two weeks' roster notice, four weeks' holiday), occupational health, students and ethical international recruitment.
ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) is a compliance framework from International (ILO); binding on 41 ratifying Members with 10 domains and 79 controls that map to 4 other frameworks. The largest domains are Convention No. 149: obligations of ratifying Members (Articles 2 to 8) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) (14 controls), Recommendation No. 157 IX and X: occupational health protection and social security (Paragraphs 44 to 56) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) (13 controls), Recommendation No. 157 VIII: working time and rest periods (Paragraphs 31 to 43) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) (13 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
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Framework Domains (10)
Convention No. 149: obligations of ratifying Members (Articles 2 to 8) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 2(1) | National policy on nursing services and nursing personnel |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 2(2)(a) | Education and training appropriate to nursing functions |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 2(2)(b) | Employment and working conditions that attract and retain |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 2(3) | Policy formulated in consultation with the social partners |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 2(4) | Policy co-ordinated with other health care and health worker policies |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 3(1) | Basic requirements for nursing education and its supervision laid down |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 3(2) | Nursing education co-ordinated with other health workers' education |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 4 | Requirements for the practice of nursing, limited to those who meet them |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 5(1) | Participation in planning nursing services and consultation on decisions |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 5(2) | Conditions of employment preferably set by negotiation |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 5(3) | Settlement of disputes by negotiation or independent machinery |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 6 | Conditions at least equivalent to other workers in seven fields |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 7 | Occupational safety and health law adapted to nursing |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::C149 Art 8 | Giving effect to the Convention |
Recommendation No. 157 II: policy and personnel structure (Paragraphs 4 to 6) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 4 | Nursing policy content |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 5 | Rational structure of nursing categories |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 6 | Classification of functions and no substitution by lower categories |
Recommendation No. 157 III: education and training (Paragraphs 7 to 12) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 10 | Higher nursing education |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 11 | Training for nursing aides |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 12 | Continuing education, advancement and re-entry programmes |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 7 | Career information, place of nursing education and its regulation |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 8 | Theory and supervised practice in an approved programme |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 9 | Duration and two levels of basic education |
Recommendation No. 157 IV: practice of the profession (Paragraphs 13 to 18) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 13 | Laws on the practice of nursing |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 14 | Practice standards co-ordinated with other health professions |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 15 | No assignment beyond qualifications; rapid training of the underqualified |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 16 | Civil liability of nursing personnel |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 17 | Fair disciplinary rules with representation and appeal |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 18 | Conscientious objection to specific duties |
Recommendation No. 157 IX and X: occupational health protection and social security (Paragraphs 44 to 56) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 44 | OSH laws adapted to nursing |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 45 | Access to occupational health services |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 46 | Prevention of health and safety risks |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 47 | Medical examinations |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 48 | Studies of special risks and notification of occupational cases |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 49 | Minimising exposure to special risks |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 50 | Transfer of pregnant women and parents of young children |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 51 | Collaboration of nursing personnel in OSH |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 52 | Supervision of OSH application |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 53 | Social security at least equivalent |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 54 | Continuity of social security rights |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 55 | Free choice of doctor and confidential medical records |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 56 | Compensation of work-related illness as occupational disease |
Recommendation No. 157 V and VI: participation and career development (Paragraphs 19 to 24) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 19 | Participation in health policy and in decisions on professional life |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 20 | Protection of nursing representatives |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 21 | Career prospects and grading |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 22 | Career advice and re-entry guidance |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 23 | Level of re-employment after interruption |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 24 | Facilities for continuing education |
Recommendation No. 157 VII: remuneration (Paragraphs 25 to 29) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 25 | Level and adjustment of remuneration |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 26 | Pay scales reflect classification and career policy |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 27 | Compensation for arduous or unpleasant conditions |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 28 | Payment in money, limited deductions, free choice of employer services |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 29 | Work clothing and supplies free of charge |
Recommendation No. 157 VIII: working time and rest periods (Paragraphs 31 to 43) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 31 | What counts as working time |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 32 | Normal weekly hours |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 33 | Normal daily hours and the 12-hour ceiling |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 34 | Meal and rest breaks |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 35 | Advance notice of work schedules |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 36 | Weekly rest of 48 and never less than 36 hours |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 37 | Limiting and compensating overtime and inconvenient hours |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 38 | Shift work: premium, 12-hour rest between shifts, no split shifts |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 39 | Paid annual holiday of at least four weeks |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 40 | Reduced hours or more rest for arduous work |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 41 | Sick leave: job protection and income security |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 42 | Maternity protection and family responsibilities |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 43 | Working time decisions agreed or consulted with representatives |
Recommendation No. 157 XI and XII: special employment arrangements and nursing students (Paragraphs 57 to 61) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 57 | Temporary and part-time employment made possible |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 58 | Equivalent conditions for temporary and part-time staff |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 59 | Rights of nursing students |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 60 | Practical work of students not used as staffing |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 61 | Information for students on employment and rights |
Recommendation No. 157 XIII: international co-operation and foreign nursing personnel (Paragraphs 62 to 69) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977)
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 62 | Harmonisation and mutual recognition |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 63 | Education at home and abroad |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 64 | Financial aid for study abroad |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 65 | Detachment for work or training abroad |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 66 | Qualifications, language and equal conditions for foreign nurses |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 67 | Ethical recruitment of foreign nurses |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 68 | Repatriation facilities |
| ilo-nursing-personnel-convention-c149-1977::R157 Para 69 | Social security for foreign and migrant nurses |
Your Compliance Coverage
If you comply with ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977), you already cover:
NHS Healthcare Leadership Model
3%
3 controls mapped
Compare →Argyris Double-Loop Learning
3%
3 controls mapped
Compare →COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)
2%
2 controls mapped
Compare →+ 1 more: Hersey & Blanchard Situational Leadership Model (1%)
See all 4 mapped frameworks ↓Maps to 4 other frameworks
Coverage is not the same as your position
This page shows what ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.
The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business daysWhat is ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) and who does it apply to?
ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) is a compliance framework from International (ILO); binding on 41 ratifying Members with 10 domains and 79 controls. The ILO's instrument on nursing personnel: Convention No. 149 obliges ratifying States to adopt a nursing policy that secures the quantity and quality of care, with appropriate education and conditions that attract and retain, to regulate nursing education and practice, to promote participation and negotiated conditions, to give nurses conditions at least equal to other workers in hours, rest, leave and social security, and to adapt occupational safety and health law to nursing. Recommendation No. 157 details the standards employers and governments apply: personnel categories, education, practice and discipline, career and pay, working time (8-hour day, 12-hour ceiling, 36 to 48 hours' weekly rest, 12 hours between shifts, two weeks' roster notice, four weeks' holiday), occupational health, students and ethical international recruitment. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) actually require?
ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) has 79 controls organised across 10 domains. The largest domains are Convention No. 149: obligations of ratifying Members (Articles 2 to 8) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) (14 controls), Recommendation No. 157 IX and X: occupational health protection and social security (Paragraphs 44 to 56) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) (13 controls), Recommendation No. 157 VIII: working time and rest periods (Paragraphs 31 to 43) – ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) (13 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) do I already cover?
ILO Nursing Personnel Convention C149 (1977) maps to 4 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are NHS Healthcare Leadership Model (3% coverage), Argyris Double-Loop Learning (3% coverage), COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) (2% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
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