China should pay special attention to ensuring the safety of healthcare workers and rural migrants, since they are exposed to significant safety and health risks that are not comprehensively governed, a senior officer of the International Labor Organization said.

Deborah Greenfield, the organization's deputy director-general for policy, said China's aging population will pose more challenges to its healthcare workers, who will be increasingly depended upon for protection against communicable diseases.

"There are also a lot of physical injuries associated with lifting and positioning people who cannot take care of themselves," she said on the sidelines of the 8th China International Forum on Work Safety held in Beijing on Tuesday.