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.
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:
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
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
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.
¿Cuál es la peor compañía de la semana❓
????♂️????♀️#Teleperformance
❌No hay protección básica contra #COVID19
❌No hay cooperación con los sindicados
❌No hay política global de bajas por enfermedad#NameandShame #ChangeYourWays@uniglobalunion pic.twitter.com/4Gfljn2wN8— ITUC (@ituc) April 4, 2020
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
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/.
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) represents 200 million members of 332 affiliates in 163 countries and territories.
Follow us online, on Twitter and on Facebook
For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on +32 2 224 02 53 or by e-mail: press@ituc-csi.org
In response to the worldwide coronavirus crisis, the global union confederation ITUC has announced unions are to make ‘Stop the pandemic at work’ a major campaign focus. The union has produced a series of posters and resources to kick off the campaign, which will build to a day of ‘virtual’ action on 28 April 2020, International Workers’ Memorial Day. ITUC says while everyone is affected by the crisis, workers are on the frontline.
ITUC news release. ITUC/Hazards 28 April website, including news on activities and resources. ITUC/Hazards coronavirus resource hub. ITUC Covid-19 resource pages – news, resources and publications from ITUC affiliates, Global Union Federations and LabourStart. Risks 941. 4 April 2020
El 28 de abril se celebra la Jornada Internacional de Conmemoración, para recordar y reclamar acciones respecto a los trabajadores muertos, discapacitados, lesionados o enfermos a causa de su trabajo. Este año la jornada se centrará evidentemente en la pandemia de COVID 19.
Aunque todo el mundo está afectado por esta crisis, los trabajadores se encuentran en primera línea. El personal sanitario en particular está arriesgando su vida para seguir con su labor de cuidar a los enfermos. Hay personas que trabajan en centros de atención para personas mayores que cuidan al grupo de personas más vulnerable. Pero también necesitamos transporte, trabajadores de supermercados y proveedores de servicios esenciales para para mantener la economía en marcha. La gente debería agradecer a estos trabajadores porque si no puedes comprar comida, entonces no puedes mantener a tu familia sostenida y saludable ”, dijo Sharan Burrow.
La Jornada Internacional de Conmemoración 2020 se celebrará en apoyo a todos esos valientes trabajadores y para rememorar a todas las personas que han muerto, enfermado o se han lesionado realizando su trabajo.
Las medidas de distanciamiento social y de confinamiento probablemente harán imposible la organización de reuniones y eventos presenciales. Si tienen alguna idea respecto a actividades que podrían llevarse a cabo, agradeceríamos las compartan con nosotros enviando un email a esp@ituc-csi.org. Publicaremos sus sugerencias en el sitio web de la campaña https://28april.org/.
https://www.ituc-csi.org/detener-la-pandemia-en-el-trabajo
