Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921

The Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 (officially known as Convention No. 14 concerning the Application of the Weekly Rest in Industrial Undertakings) is an international labour convention adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1921. It aims to ensure that workers in industrial undertakings are granted a period of rest comprising at least 24 consecutive hours in every seven-day period.

The convention defines "industrial undertakings" broadly, encompassing mines, quarries, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and certain forms of commerce. It allows for exceptions to the rule of 24 consecutive hours of rest in cases of emergencies, accidents, or urgent work, subject to regulations by the competent authority after consultation with employers' and workers' organizations.

The convention also acknowledges that where traditions or customs dictate, exceptions to the weekly rest period may be permitted, but these must be subject to regulations taking into account the views of employers' and workers' organisations. Furthermore, the convention addresses situations where weekly rest may be granted collectively to entire establishments, requiring the competent authority to consider the particular needs of each region and consult with responsible associations of employers and workers.

Ratification of the convention obligates member states to implement its provisions through legislation or other appropriate measures. The ILO supervises the implementation of the convention through its regular reporting and supervisory mechanisms, ensuring that ratifying states are fulfilling their obligations to protect workers' rights to weekly rest. This convention represents a significant step towards establishing a minimum standard for workers' well-being and protecting them from overwork in industrial settings.