Indonesian Launch of the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work.
🗓 Monday, 28 April 2025
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:45 PM (Jakarta time)
🔗 Zoom ID: 879 9536 7939 | Passcode: COPK3ILO
💬 English interpretation provided
📍 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQ5zvkSXemmK0FeFPf9VvnXnvfNFYLR8dQlWK-BQh_0kN0MQ/viewform
BWI Asia-Pacific
The ITUC is using this year’s International Workers’ Memorial Day, 28 April, to call for urgent action to safeguard workers’ lives and rights in the age of digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI).
AI is transforming the world of work at unprecedented speed. But behind the promise of innovation lies a darker reality: algorithmic management, constant surveillance, impossible productivity targets, and dangerous working conditions. Technology is being used not to improve working conditions and safety, but to exploit them — putting lives and health at risk.
“Too often artificial intelligence is being deployed not as a tool for progress but as a weapon against workers.”ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle
“From warehouses to hospitals, delivery bikes to data labs, workers are under pressure like never before. The deployment of new technologies must respect the norms of any other changes in the workplace: workers have a right be consulted and included. This basic, democratic, workplace right will ensure the use of AI is designed with safety, fairness and dignity at is core. Workers and their unions must have a seat at the table for the benefit of all.”
Deployment of new technologies, such as AI, without proper consultation with workers and their unions is already causing serious problems around the world:
The ITUC is calling for:
This 28 April, we remember the dead – and fight for the living. Technology should work for us, not against us.
The new ITUC report, ‘Artificial intelligence and digitalisation: A matter of life and death for workers’, identifies the physical and psychosocial harms at work when these technologies are introduced without consulting workers. Check out the campaign materials.
https://www.ituc-csi.org/International-Workers-Memorial-Day-2025
Con ocasión de la Jornada Internacional de Conmemoración de los Trabajadores Fallecidos y Lesionados, que se celebra el 28 de abril, la CSI ha hecho un llamamiento para que se adopten medidas urgentes destinadas a salvaguardar la vida y los derechos de los trabajadores en la era de la digitalización y la inteligencia artificial (IA).
La IA está transformando el mundo del trabajo a una velocidad sin precedentes. Pero detrás de la promesa de innovación se esconde una realidad más oscura: la gestión algorítmica, la vigilancia constante, unos objetivos de productividad imposibles y unas condiciones de trabajo peligrosas. La tecnología no se está utilizando para mejorar las condiciones de trabajo y la seguridad, sino para explotar a los trabajadores, poniendo en peligro su vida y su salud.
“La inteligencia artificial se suele utilizar no como una herramienta para el progreso, sino como un arma contra los trabajadores.”Luc Triangle, secretario general de la CSI
“Desde almacenes hasta hospitales, pasando por repartidores a domicilio y laboratorios de datos, los trabajadores se están viendo más presionados que nunca. El despliegue de nuevas tecnologías debe respetar las normas de cualquier cambio que se lleve a cabo en el lugar de trabajo: los trabajadores tienen derecho a ser consultados e incluidos en el proceso. Este derecho básico y democrático en el lugar de trabajo garantizará que el uso de la IA se diseñe considerando la seguridad, la justicia y la dignidad como aspectos fundamentales. Los trabajadores y sus sindicatos deben tener voz y voto en beneficio de todos”.
El despliegue de nuevas tecnologías como la IA, sin una consulta adecuada con los trabajadores y sus sindicatos, ya está causando graves problemas en todo el mundo:
La CSI reclama:
Este 28 de abril recordamos a los fallecidos y luchamos por los vivos. La tecnología debe trabajar para nosotros, no contra nosotros.
El nuevo informe de la CSI, “Inteligencia artificial y digitalización: Una cuestión de vida o muerte para los trabajadores” (en inglés), identifica los daños físicos y psicosociales en el trabajo cuando estas tecnologías se introducen sin consultar a los trabajadores. Para descargar los gráficos y obtener mayor información, visiten aquí
À l’occasion de la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs morts ou blessés au travail, du 28 avril 2025, la CSI réclame des actions urgentes pour préserver la vie et les droits des travailleuses et des travailleurs à l’ère de la numérisation et de l’intelligence artificielle (IA).
L’IA transforme le monde du travail à une vitesse sans précédent. Mais derrière la promesse d’innovation se profile une réalité plus sombre : gestion algorithmique, surveillance constante, objectifs de productivité impossibles et conditions de travail dangereuses. La technologie est utilisée non pour améliorer les conditions de travail et la sécurité au travail, mais pour exploiter les travailleuses et les travailleurs, mettant leur vie et leur santé en danger.
« Trop souvent, l’intelligence artificielle est déployée non comme un instrument du progrès, mais comme une arme contre les travailleurs »le secrétaire général de la CSI, Luc Triangle
« Des entrepôts aux hôpitaux, sur les vélos de livraison ou dans les laboratoires de données, les travailleurs sont plus que jamais sous pression. Le déploiement de nouvelles technologies doit respecter les normes, comme tout autre changement sur le lieu de travail : les travailleuses et les travailleurs ont le droit d’être consultés et de participer. Ce droit fondamental et démocratique sur le lieu de travail garantira que l’utilisation de l’IA soit pensée en accordant une place centrale à la sécurité, à l’équité et à la dignité. Les travailleurs et leurs syndicats doivent avoir un siège à la table dans l’intérêt de tous. »
Le déploiement de nouvelles technologies, comme l’IA, sans consultation adéquate des travailleurs et de leurs syndicats pose déjà de graves problèmes dans le monde :
La CSI réclame :
Ce 28 avril, nous commémorons les morts et nous luttons pour les vivants. La technologie devrait travailler pour nous, et non contre nous.
Le nouveau rapport de la CSI, intitulé « Artificial intelligence and digitalisation : A matter of life and death for workers » (en français), identifie les dommages physiques et psychosociaux au travail qui se produisent lorsque ces technologies sont introduites sans consultation des travailleurs. Voir les matériels de campagne ici.
Europe’s workplace stress epidemic is killing around 10,000 people a year, according to a new analysis which shows the urgent need for an EU directive on psychosocial risks at work.
There are 6,190 deaths annually through coronary heart disease which are attributable to psychosocial risks at work across the EU 27 and the UK. Another 4,843 people lose their lives through suicide caused by work-related depression. That means psychosocial risks are a greater danger to workers than physical accidents, which killed 3,286 people in the EU in 2022.
Women workers are disproportionately affected by psychosocial risks, such as long working hours, job insecurity and workplace bullying. There is also a geographic imbalance, with deaths linked to workplace stress more prevalent in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe.
International Workers’ Memorial Day
The figures are based on research by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) being presented on International Workers’ Memorial Day (April 28) which emphasises that these deaths are preventable and tackling them would save companies and governments tens of billions a year.
That is why the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is today calling again on the European Commission to urgently bring forward a directive on psychosocial risks as part of a Quality Jobs Package. It should set binding obligations on employers to identify psychosocial risks through proper risk assessments, with the involvement of workers and trade unions.
EU data shows a legal obligation is the motivator of nine in ten European companies to take action on health and safety at work, but currently there is no EU legislation dedicated to psychosocial risks at work. The mission letter of Roxana Mînzatu, the Commissioner responsible for social rights, says she “should work on improving Europe’s approach to occupational health andsafety, ensuring healthier workplaces and mental health at work.”
Addressing the issue at a joint ETUC-ETUI conference in Brussels on Monday, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch will say:
“Today, is a call for decisive, transformative action. If the EU is truly committed to building a future of fair, inclusive, and sustainable employment, then the Quality Jobs Package must include a robust Directive on preventing work-related psychosocial risks.
“The world of work is changing—rapidly, profoundly, and permanently. Digitalisation, AI robotics, platform work, the green transition, are reshaping how we labour and live. But while these transformations offer new opportunities, they also bring new dangers. Chief among them are the increasing psychosocial risks faced by workers: stress, burnout, anxiety, harassment, isolation, and emotional exhaustion. These are not fringe issues. They are systemic, and they are escalating.
“The EU has long been a global standard-setter in workers’ rights. We led the way on physical safety. Now we must lead the way on mental safety.”
ETUC Confederal Secretary Giulio Romani said:
“The world of work is changing rapidly and the laws protecting people’s health at work must keep pace. The huge rise in telework and digitalisation since the Covid-19 pandemic has further blurred the boundaries between work and personal life, leading to longer working hours and an always-on-call culture that has taken a severe toll on workers’ health.
“If over 10,000 people a year were killed at work because of physical risks, the Commission would rightly be taking urgent action to make workplaces safer. They cannot sit on their hands because people are losing their lives due to psychosocial risks.
“On International Workers Memorial Day, trade unions remember the dead and fight for the living. Today that means ensuring we have laws which protects people’s mental and physical health.”
Full ETUI study on The costs of cardiovascular diseases and depression attributable to psychosocial work exposures in the European Union
Sources for ETUI estimates of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases and depression attributable to psychosocial work exposures in the European Union:
Coronary heart disease
Attributable to four psychosocial work exposures (PWE) for the year 2015 in 28 European countries. Annual number of deaths due to coronary heart diseases attributable to PWE in 2015: 6 190 deaths (5 092 men, 1 098 women). This means 201 359 years of life lost in 2015 (166 331 men, 35 028 women), based on the age at time of death and the average life expectancy. Four relevant PWE : job strain, effort-reward imbalance, job insecurity, long working hours. Source: Sultan-Taïeb H et al (2022) European journal of public health 2022;32:586-592
Depression
Attributable to 5 psychosocial work exposures (PWE) for the year 2015 in 28 European countries. Annual number of deaths due to depression (suicide cases related to depression) attributable to PWE in 2015 : 4 843 deaths (3 931 men, 912 women). This means 211 689 years of life lost in 2015 (172 885 men, 38 805 women), based on the age at time of death and the average life expectancy. Depression cases attributable to PWE are higher among women than men but there is a higher number of years of life lost because of a higher prevalence of suicide among men than women. Five relevant PWE : job strain, effort-reward imbalance, job insecurity, long working hours and workplace bullying. Source: Sultan-Taïeb H et al (2022). European journal of public health 2022;32:586-592.
https://www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/workplace-stress-epidemic-killing-10000-people-year
Unite members are being urged to get involved with this year’s International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD), with plans well underway for country wide commemoration events to “remember the dead and fight for the living” later this month.
The annual event is held around the world every year on April 28 as workers gather to reflect on fellow workers lost or injured while just doing their jobs.
This year Unite members are organising memorials around the country, and joining in many others and the union has produced lots of resources and guides to help branches get involved.
For 2025 the International TUC theme is “Occupational health and safety: A fundamental right at work” including an explicit additional focus on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digitisation on occupational health and safety.
Events will be happening across the country. In London construction workers will gather at the Building Workers memorial at Tower Hill, in Somerset workers from Hinkley Point C will mark the day at a memorial in Bridgwaters’ Blake Gardens and in Glasgow workers will gather at the memorial in the People’s Palace.
The central Birmingham event will highlight the safety-critical factor behind Unite’s local bins dispute, and remember David Carpenter, a binman for Coventry City Council, who died after being crushed in a bin lorry in 2023.
There are also events at the Unite Memorial in Liverpool, Lincoln Square in Manchester and many many more.
Global partners that Unite works with also have themes for the day of remembrance, for example BWI will highlight its “Too Hot to Work” campaign around the dangers of heat stress, as well as launching its “Stop Deadly Dust” campaign.
On 28 April each year, International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) is a time to remember those who have died either because of a workplace accident, ill health or diseases as a result of work.
Why we ‘remember the dead and fight for the living’
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) annual statistics show on average that 135 workers are killed in work related accidents each year. They also estimate that there are around 13,000 deaths each year from occupational lung disease and cancer caused by past exposure at work to chemicals and dust (such as asbestos or silica).
However, safety campaigners estimate that the true figure for all work-related deaths is closer to 50,000 each year.
Although it is rare for a UNISON member to die in a workplace incident, unfortunately some do suffer serious injuries and work-related ill health, including musculoskeletal disorders, stress, anxiety and depression. This can significantly affect them, their family, friends and other work colleagues.
UNISON knows that the key to providing safe and healthy workplaces is effective risk management, eliminating or reducing the risk of harm and having safe systems of work, including training and access to protective equipment.
Additionally, UNISON health safety representatives play a vital role in keeping workplaces safe and healthy by working with employers and raising members’ concerns about working condition, as well as undertaking inspections of workplaces to check all steps are being taking to keep workers safe.
The International Federation of Journalists recorded killings of 122 journalists in 2024, a figure highlighting the grave danger many journalists working globally continue to face.
At the NUJ’s Delegate Meeting, members heard from Anthony Bellanger, IFJ general secretary, who said “there was much to say about the situation of journalists around the world” and noted the killings of at least 171 journalists killed by the Israeli army since the start of war.
Read more on his address to delegates.
Delegates also stood in remembrance of journalists killed since 2023 globally.
https://www.nuj.org.uk/resource/international-workers-memorial-day.html
Con la llegada de un nuevo Día Internacional de la Seguridad en el Trabajo, desde la Secretaría de Salud Laboral de la CTAA Capital, se elaboró una reflexión -que se publica a continuación- sobre los desafíos que enfrenta la clase trabajadora en ese tema.
Cada 28 de abril conmemoramos el Día Internacional de la Seguridad en el Trabajo como forma de visibilizar la importancia del cuidado y la prevención en los lugares de trabajo, al tiempo que honramos la memoria de las y los compañeros que murieron o sufrieron heridas en el ámbito laboral.
En el contexto actual, para la CTAA Capital esta conmemoración es central por lo que venimos sosteniendo hace ya mucho tiempo: es preciso unir la idea de la prevención y la salud de las y los trabajadores que se evoca en esta fecha, con la lucha por las 8 horas del Día Internacional del Trabajador y la Trabajadora -que conmemoramos cada primero de Mayo- para que un día las y los compañeros puedan comprender que estos dos días son parte del mismo proceso de avance de la clase trabajadora hacia su autogobierno y su felicidad: una dimensión del trabajo que la patronal anula.
Hoy, aquella iniciativa aparece manipulada por el poder real, mediante diversas políticas como la super academización de la salud laboral y el exceso normativo, que han desplazado la voz de las y los trabajadores como protagonistas de las decisiones y las políticas sobre este particular.
Otro capítulo merecerian las Aseguradoras de Riesgos de Trabajo (ART), la responsabilidad empresarial y otras mieles del sistema que terminan haciendo que las y los trabajadores corran detrás del proyecto que tiene la clase dominante para la sociedad en su conjunto. Mismo punto donde comienza la confusión entre trabajo, que es un concepto muy amplio, y empleo: un término que pertenece al mundo del proyecto capitalista, en el que un trabajador vende su fuerza de trabajo, intelectual o física, y en caso de accidente o enfermedad, esa fuerza merma o se agota, ese trabajador ya no tiene nada para vender y queda fuera del sistema.
En cambio, cuando hay trabajo hay una organización comunitaria que salva ese tipo de situaciones mediante distintas estrategias que tienen que ver más con el trabajador como sujeto y no como variable administrativa.
Cabe destacar que nuestra Central presentó un proyecto sobre una nueva Ley de Seguridad en el Trabajo como parte de una legislación popular que va por el cuidado de la vida, la prevención y la reparación inmediata en caso de accidente. Mientras que la ley actual es meramente reparatoria, donde hay un precio vil por la vida del trabajador y prima la mirada financiera del negocio patronal.
Pero hoy, lo más importante es ver este proceso de cambio que se está dando en la sociedad, donde hay una serie de tercerizaciones de la economía que lleva a que existan otras tareas a realizar, otros empleos que nosotros queremos que se constituyan en trabajos. Mientras el poder quiere llevar esas tareas al mundo del empleo, nosotros decimos que tienen que formar parte del mundo del trabajo comunitario, solidario, remunerado y obviamente registrado, en el marco de un nuevo modelo que debe estar incluído en el mundo del trabajo y no del empleo, no de las tareas.
Para finalizar, nada de lo antedicho puede estar escindido de los dos grandes ejes transversales a todo que son género y medio ambiente: resulta imprescindible incorporarlos en este modelo de investigación y entendimiento para concebir una forma de autogobierno de las y los trabajadores.
En ese sentido se acaba de aplicar el Convenio 190 de la OIT sobre perspectiva de género aplicada a los lugares de trabajo. A su vez, allí donde la problemática está más presente, debemos bregar por el cuidado del medio ambiente en el lugar del trabajo. Porque si no somos los propios trabajadores y trabajadoras quienes tomamos conciencia de que cuidar el medio ambiente es cuidar nuestra salud y supervivencia, como clase y como especie, lo demás pierde sentido.
* Por Marcelo Fiscina, secretario de Salud Laboral de la CTAA Capital
CTA Capital
Central de Trabajadores de la Argentina / Capital
https://www.facebook.com/cta.capital
BWI affiliate FGBB’s final preparations of the General University for Building and Wood on the occasion of the International Occupational Health and Safety Day, which falls on April 28 every year.