A/HRC/39/48 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes Contents Page I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3 II. Human rights of workers and exposure to toxic substances .......................................................... 5 A. Right to safe and healthy working conditions ....................................................................... 5 B. Rights to information, participation and association............................................................. 7 C. Rights of workers at heightened risk .................................................................................... 8 D. Right to an effective remedy ................................................................................................. 8 Challenges to the rights of workers affected by toxic exposures .................................................. 9 A. Inadequate standards of protection ....................................................................................... 9 B. Limited progress in preventing exposure .............................................................................. 9 C. Monitoring and enforcement gaps ........................................................................................ 10 D. Exploitation of those most at risk ......................................................................................... 10 E. Informal economy ................................................................................................................. 12 F. Deliberate efforts to delay or obstruct protection from exposure to toxic substances .......... 12 G. Opaque supply chains and transfer of hazardous work ......................................................... 13 H. Disconnected efforts on occupational and environmental health .......................................... 13 I. Failures to realize the right to information ............................................................................ 13 J. Limited implementation of International Labour Organization instruments ........................ 14 K. Restrained freedom of association ........................................................................................ 14 L. Inaccessible remedies, justice and accountability ................................................................. 14 Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................... 15 A. Principles on duties and responsibilities to prevent exposure ............................................... 16 B. Principles regarding information, participation and assembly .............................................. 18 C. Principles regarding effective remedies ................................................................................ 20 Annex ............................................................................................................................................................ 22 III. IV. 2