Tag Archives: ituc

2020, 2020 Global, Events listing, News

Global: COVID-19 should be classified as an occupational disease – ITUC/Global Unions

The ITUC and its Global Unions partners are calling for COVID-19 to be classified as an occupational disease in order to ensure stronger workplace protections and access to compensation as well as to medical care. The call is being made today [28 April], on International Workers’ Memorial Day.

“While there are many aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus which are yet unclear, one thing that is clear is that most transmission is occurring in workplaces such as hospitals and care facilities, as well as in workplaces where transmission can occur between workers with the public.

“There is already evidence that in numerous countries, protective workplace measures such as distancing and personal equipment are insufficient or even absent. Workers are being made to take risks that shouldn’t be taken, and in some cases, such as in Amazon warehouses, they face sanctions or dismissal for raising safety concerns. Bringing COVID-19 into occupational disease classification is crucial to stopping this and reducing the spread of the virus. This is becoming even more urgent as countries begin to relax restrictions on economic sectors and public spaces,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

Occupational disease classification would mean that where workers are infected with the virus, the presumption would be that it is workplace-related unless conclusive evidence is presented to the contrary. It would also reinforce public health measures which are in place and which will evolve in the coming months and years.

“We are also calling for occupational health and safety to be given the status of a fundamental right at the International Labour Organization. This is a long-overdue measure which would give workers’ protection from death and disease the same priority as freedom of association, collective bargaining and protection from discrimination, forced labour and child labour,” said Burrow.

Council of Global Unions Statement on Recognition of COVID-19 as an Occupational Disease * ITUC news release * COVID-19 Pandemic: News from unions

 

2020, 2020 Europe, Events listing, News

Europe: Statement from ITUC’s Pan European Regional Council (OHS Network)

Dear colleagues, dear members of the PERC OHS Network,

We believe that all of you, as well as your countries face with the Covid-19 pandemic, and that your governments adopt appropriate measures aimed at protection of population and citizens, but also the response measures aimed at salvation of jobs and economic in your countries.

Given that all of your are affiliates of PERC OHS Network, it would be good if you could monitor the measures of your governments and, if possible, draft a brief review of the situation in this area, and submit it to us by e-mail. Considering that it cannot be predicted for how long this situation would continue, we shall try in the forthcoming period to organize an online meeting  (by way of some platforms) to talk about these matters. I have also though this could be a complicated, but I do have regular meetings this way with my colleagues from Brussels, and even some bigger meetings were organized this way. I can tell you that this form of communication in given circumstances is extremely relevant and necessary.

I hereby enclose the translation to BSCM language of the ITUC document “Workers’ Memorial Day – Stop Pandemic at Work”, in reference to the 28th April – International Workers’ Memorial Day or Workers’ Mourning Day of remembrance and actions for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work. The link to the original text in English language is: https://www.ituc-csi.org/28April2020

We hope that you will use this document to mark the 28th April this year, although in these specific conditions.

To all Network members on OHS: We are also sending you attached the Draft PERC OHS Networks’ Statement on COVID –  for consultation with you about the final text.

We wish you a good health and in solidarity,

PERC updates re Covid-19

2020, 2020 Netherlands, Events listing, News

The Netherlands: FNV on International Workers’ Memorial Day

In response to the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) call to share plans and activities on Workers Memorial Day,  Dutch trade union federation Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) has announced the creation of a dedicated 28 April webpage.

www.fnv.nl

2020, 2020 Global, News

Global: ITUC action round-up on Covid-19

ITUC action round-up on Covid-19, 7 April 2020

Prepared by Raquel Gonzalez, Director, ITUC Geneva Office.
Secretary, ILO Workers’ Group

ITUC Global Covid-19 Survey

ITUC is regularly surveying its affiliates on Covid-19. The first survey covered the period 17- 23 March 2020. In total, 109 trade unions from 86 countries took part in the survey.

Six questions were asked to monitor government responses, review economic and social policies used to respond to the pandemic, identify workers and sectors worst affected by the crisis and assess how governments and employers are responding to the crisis. The responses will be used by the ITUC and its affiliates in support of international and national advocacy and campaigning.

The second survey was published on 7 April. It covered 116 trade unions in 94 countries. The gap between regions is exposed in this second survey in terms of the responses to the pandemic. While G20 governments have committed to a record stimulus of $5 trillion, the survey shows it risks excluding emerging and developing countries. The latter are also the countries with weaker health systems and inequalities putting the health and life of millions of workers at risk.

The survey shows that the vast majority of governments (72%) are providing wage protection and income support but there are big regional differences. 41% of countries say this is not enough to cover essential costs – this is most strongly felt in the Asia-Pacific (64%) region followed by the Americas (45%).

This is why the ITUC is calling for support for a Global Fund for Universal Social Protection for the poorest countries to support health care and income support.

OSH as a fundamental right

The current pandemic shows once again the importance of OSH. This is why the ITUC will continue to campaign for including safe and healthy working conditions in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work (FPRWs). We will discuss this important issue at the November 2020 ILO Governing Body. At this stage I wish to recall that the Centenary Declaration we adopted in June 2019 on a tripartite basis declared that safe and healthy working conditions are fundamental to decent work. The resolution requested the Governing Boy to: “consider, as soon as possible, proposals for including safe and healthy working conditions in the ILO’s framework of FPRWs.” We strongly believe that the current pandemic shows the urgency to make this a reality and we expect a strong tripartite consensus later this year around including safe and healthy working conditions as part of FPRWs.

A new ILO instrument on biological hazards

At the November 2020 Governing Body we will also be discussing future agenda items to be placed on the Conference agenda. Four areas of OSH standards have been identified (further to the work of the Standard Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group). We believe that in light of the current pandemic, priority should be given to the development of a Convention complemented by a Recommendation on protection against biological hazards which would be a key contribution that the ILO could make in the current pandemic context based on its rights-based mandate and tripartite structure.

ITUC/IOE Joint Statement on Covid-19

On 23 March, the International Organsation of Employers (IOE) and the ITUC issued a joint statement on Covid-19.

Both organizations called for urgent action in the following areas:

  • Business continuity, income security and solidarity
  • Social dialogue and role of the social partners in the control of and response to the virus
  • Policy coordination and coherence at international level with the UN/WHO taking into account the need to protect employment and income through strengthening of social protection
  • Strong and functioning health systems to combat the pandemic

 

2020, 2020 Global, News, Resources

28 April: ITUC Global Covid-19 Survey: Regional differences exposed in government responses to the pandemic

ITUC Global Covid-19 Survey: Regional differences exposed in government responses to the Covid-19 pandemic – millions of workers in Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas at risk of economic devastation

The impact of Covid-19 on jobs and employment has increased as more countries are responding to the pandemic with national lockdown measures including the closure of schools and non-essential business. While wage protection and income support are provided in many G20 and OECD countries, working people in Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas have lost jobs and incomes and could face widespread famine unless there is urgent global co-ordination and fiscal stimulus measures. Read more

2020, 2020 Global, Guides, News, Resources

ITUC/Hazards coronavirus workplace health resource hub

It wasn’t an infection that caused the shutdown of entire nations. The coronavirus pandemic could persist because public health was a low priority and workers do not have the sick pay and job protection necessary to survive.

ITUC/Hazards coronavirus workplace health resource hub

2020, 2020 Global, News

Global: Joint Statement on COVID-19 by IOE and ITUC

Joint Statement on COVID-19 by International Organisation of Employers and International Trade Union Confederation 

COVID-19 is threatening the health and the livelihoods of workers and employers globally. It is not a local but a worldwide challenge, requiring a global response. Urgent action is essential from
international organisations. The time has come to see the United Nations reform in action. Enhanced cooperation and coordination are required among all actors in the multilateral system. The
International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization (WHO) are at the heart of the international guidance to manage this pandemic and identify short, medium and long-term sustainable solutions for individuals, communities, nations and regions.

Joint statement 

2020, 2020 Global, News

28 April: ITUC – ¿Cuál es la peor compañía de la semana?

2020, 2020 Global, News, Resources

Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs : Stoppons la pandémie au travail – CSI

Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs : Stoppons la pandémie au travail

Le 28 avril marque la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs, qui a pour but de rendre hommage aux travailleurs décédés, devenus invalides, blessés ou malades à cause de leur travail en organisant des actions.

30-03-2020

Le thème de cette année porte évidemment sur la pandémie de COVID-19. Bien que tout le monde soit touché par la crise, les travailleurs se trouvent en première ligne.

« Les professionnels de la santé, en particulier, risquent leur vie en réalisant leur travail pour prendre soin des malades, tandis que des travailleurs se chargent des soins aux personnes âgées et d’autres infrastructures s’occupent des groupes les plus vulnérables. Mais nous avons également besoin des travailleurs dans les transports et les supermarchés, des fournisseurs de services essentiels et de nombreux autres pour maintenir l’économie à flot. Les citoyens devraient également remercier ces travailleurs car si vous ne pouvez pas acheter de produits alimentaires, vous ne pourrez pas nourrir votre famille pour qu’elle reste en bonne santé », a déclaré Sharan Burrow, secrétaire générale de la CSI.

La Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs 2020 sera organisée pour soutenir tous ces travailleurs courageux, ainsi que pour rendre hommage aux personnes décédées, malades ou blessées en raison de leur travail.

Compte tenu des mesures de distanciation sociale et de confinement, les réunions et événements physiques ne pourront vraisemblablement pas être organisés.

Voici quelques suggestions d’activités et de diffusion de vos messages :

Solidarité en action – stoppons la pandémie au travail
La grande majorité des activités syndicales organisées le 28 avril seront virtuelles et vos photos représenteront le pouvoir, la solidarité et l’engagement des membres de syndicats en faveur de la sécurité au travail.

Publiez vos photos ou vidéos de 30 secondes sur les réseaux sociaux (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) en utilisant #iwmd20 ou envoyez-les par courriel à editor@hazards.org.

Quant aux travailleurs en première ligne, qui « sauvent des vies – en sécurité », envoyez une photo de vos vêtements de protection ou de la façon dont votre lieu de travail respecte la distanciation physique en toute sécurité pour « stopper la pandémie au travail ».

Exemples de message pour les médias sociaux :
Une partie de l’équipe sauvant des vies en sécurité sur #iwmd20
Ensemble nous pouvons #StopthePandemicAtWork

Pour tous les travailleurs, afin de manifester votre solidarité pour « stopper la pandémie au travail », envoyez une photo d’une bougie que vous allumez chez vous ou sur votre lieu de travail en solidarité avec les travailleurs en première ligne qui rendent notre vie possible.

Exemples de message pour les médias sociaux :
Mettons en lumière tous ceux qui travaillent pour #StopthePandemicAtWork
Merci à tous les travailleurs en première ligne à l’occasion de la #iwmd20

Pour les responsables syndicaux, portez une pancarte avec une liste des mesures de soutien que vous avez négociées pour « stopper la pandémie au travail »

Exemples de message pour les médias sociaux :
Les syndicats en action #StopthePandemicAtWork
Luttant pour :
Des congés de maladie rémunérés
Des lieux de travail sûrs
Une sécurité d’emploi
#iwmd20

Si vous souhaitez partager des idées concernant des activités virtuelles, veuillez nous en faire part en envoyant un courriel à editor@hazards.org. Nous les publierons sur notre site web consacré à la campagne https://28april.org/.

https://www.ituc-csi.org/28avril2020-FR

2020, 2020 Global, News, Resources

Global – Stop the pandemic at work – ITUC

ITUC news release

Workers’ Memorial Day: STOP THE PANDEMIC AT WORK

Brussels, 3 April 2020: April 28 is International Workers’ Memorial Day or Workers’ Mourning Day. This is the international day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work.

The focus this year is of course the global COVID-19 pandemic. While everyone is affected by the crisis, workers are on the front line.

“Healthcare workers in particular are risking their lives doing their job to take care of the sick. And there are people working in aged care and other facilities looking after the most vulnerable groups of people. But we also need transport and supermarket workers, providers of essential services and many others to keep the economy going. People should also thank these workers because if you can’t buy food, then you can’t keep your family sustained and healthy,” said Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary.

International Workers’ Memorial Day 2020 will be held in support of all these courageous workers and in remembrance of the people who have died or become sick or injured while doing their job.

Social distancing and lockdown measures most likely mean that physical meetings and events will not be possible.

Here are some suggestions for activities, and how to spread your message:

Solidarity in Action – Stop the Pandemic at Work

The overwhelming majority of union activities on April 28 will be virtual and your photos will represent the power, the solidarity and the commitment of union members everywhere to safety at work.

Share your photos or 30 second videos on social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) using  #iwmd20 or email them to editor@hazards.org

For frontline workers who are ‘Saving Lives – Staying Safe’, send a photo in your protective apparel or how your workplace is practicing social distancing safely to ‘Stop the Pandemic at Work’.

Sample social media message:

Part of the team that’s saving lives and staying safe on #iwmd20

Together we can #StopthePandemicAtWork

For all workers, to show your solidarity to ‘Stop the Pandemic at Work’, send a photo of a candle you light in your homes or workplaces in solidarity with frontline workers making our lives possible.

Sample social media message:

Shining a light on all those who are working to #StopthePandemicAtWork

Thank you to all frontline workers on #iwmd20

For union officials, hold a sign with a list of support measures you have negotiated to ‘Stop the Pandemic at Work’

Sample social media message:

Unions in action #StopthePandemicAtWork

Fighting for:

Paid sick leave
Safe workplaces
Job guarantees
#iwmd20

If you have ideas for virtual activities, please share them with us by sending an email to editor@hazards.org. We will make them public on our campaign website https://28april.org/.

Read this article online

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) represents 200 million members of 332 affiliates in 163 countries and territories.

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For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on +32 2 224 02 53 or by e-mail: press@ituc-csi.org