Eni and ILO Strengthen Agri-Business Worker Protection with Project Expansion in Congo

Eni and ILO Strengthen Agri-Business Worker Protection with Project Expansion in Congo

(IN BRIEF) Eni and the International Labour Organization are extending their joint programme to improve occupational safety and health and expand social protection for agricultural workers to the Republic of Congo, building on positive results achieved in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire. The initiative will focus on strengthening workplace safety systems, promoting health protection, and increasing access to social protection schemes within agri-business supply chains. The expansion reflects the partners’ ongoing commitment to worker well-being, alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals, and support for international and national frameworks that promote safe, healthy, and inclusive working environments.

(PRESS RELEASE) MILAN, 17-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Eni and the International Labour Organization have agreed to extend their joint initiative aimed at improving occupational safety and health and strengthening social protection for agricultural workers to the Republic of Congo. The decision follows encouraging progress recorded in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire, where the project is already being implemented, and reflects the continued development of the long-standing partnership between the two organizations.

In the Republic of Congo, the expanded programme will concentrate on reinforcing occupational safety and health systems and broadening access to social protection, particularly health-related coverage, for workers involved in agri-business supply chains. The initiative is designed to support employers, workers, and sector stakeholders in improving workplace safety practices, promoting health protection at both enterprise and sector levels, and increasing participation in existing social protection schemes. These actions are intended to complement national policies while contributing to safer working conditions and more inclusive development across agricultural value chains.

The decision to scale up the project was confirmed following a review of progress during the Global Steering Committee meeting held on 12 May 2025. During the meeting, Eni and the ILO acknowledged the positive outcomes achieved to date in the participating countries and reaffirmed the value of the partnership in enhancing worker well-being and resilience in the agri-business sector.

Through this expansion, Eni and the ILO reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to universal social protection, health and well-being, and decent work. The collaboration also supports the implementation of the ILO Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health, including the Safety+Health for All Programme, as well as the ILO Social Protection Floors Recommendation. The initiative continues to be guided by a partnership-based approach that emphasizes capacity building, human rights, and long-term improvements in working conditions throughout the supply chain.

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SOURCE: Eni S.p.A.