Tag Archives: 28april

2024, 2024 Global, 2024 resources, Events listing, Gallery, News, Resources

ITUC 28 April graphics [Spanish]

ITUC has published a large variety of 28 April graphics for free use across social media channels and beyond. Below are the Spanish language resources. These graphics are suitable for X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and more.  You can also download the images here.

La CSI ha publicado una gran variedad de gráficos del 28 de abril para uso gratuito en los canales de redes sociales y más allá. A continuación se encuentran los recursos en español. Estos gráficos son adecuados para X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook y más. También puedes descargar las imágenes aquí.

 

2024, 2024 Global

Climate crisis a major workplace risk, warns ITUC

#iwmd24   |   Climate risks for workers   |    ITUC International Workers’ Memorial Day/Day of Mourning theme announced

The climate crisis is creating new and heightened occupational risks to workers, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is warning.

Extreme weather and changing weather patterns are affected job security and health for workers, the global union body says. In response to the crisis, it says, the theme for International Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April 2024 will be ‘Climate risks for workers’.

 Heat-related deaths and diseases in workers in agriculture, construction and other outdoor jobs have soared, ITUC notes. It adds work in extreme weather can cause fatigue and increases in workplace injuries and stress-related disease. Elevated levels of airborne pollution associated with heatwaves can lead to increased hospitalisations and deaths, it warns. And it adds higher UV exposures place workers at risk of chronic health problems, including skin cancer and eye damage (macular degeneration).

The ITUC alert comes in the wake of climate-related health warnings from UN agencies. A World Health Organisation (WHO) December 2023 statement noted the year had witnessed “an alarming surge in climate-related disasters, including wildfires, heatwaves and droughts, leading to the displacement of populations, agricultural losses and heightened air pollution. The ongoing climate crisis has significantly increased the risk of life-threatening diseases such as cholera, malaria and dengue.”

A September 2023 International Labour Organisation (ILO) just transition policy brief, Occupational safety and health in a just transition, noted the climate crisis “without proper controls in place, may increase the risk for injury, disease and death for workers due to heat stress, extreme weather events, exposure to hazardous chemicals, air pollution and infectious disease, among others.”

ILO added: “Numerous health effects on workers have been linked to climate change, including injuries, cancer cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions, and effects on their psychosocial health. There has been an increase in the estimated number of deaths among the global working-age population due to exposure to hot temperatures.”

ITUC notes that climate change is also putting workers at increased risk from infections. “The climate crisis, urbanisation and changing land use are impacting on occupational health and safety and have led to biological hazards posing new risk or risks in new places,” a December 2024 ITUC briefing on biological hazards notes.

It is a point reinforced in the ILO just transition policy brief, which warns “risks from vector-borne diseases, such as malaria or dengue fever, will increase with warming temperatures, including potential shifts in geographic range of these vectors as a result of climate change.

“This development affects all workers, especially outdoor workers who are at higher risk of contracting vector-borne diseases, from vectors such as mosquitoes, fleas and ticks. Moreover, infectious diseases may also affect workers via waterborne and foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella spp. when they have direct contact with contaminated water or food.”

ILO has said it will commemorate World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April, and will follow the theme adopted by ITUC and unions worldwide, focusing on “the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health”. ILO added it will produce supporting promotional materials including a poster and report and will organise a global event with experts and guest speakers from governments, employers and workers “to discuss how to protect workers and respond to this global challenge.”

ITUC will produce its own guides and social media resources which will be available on its dedicated International Workers’ Memorial Day website, www.28april.org

Resources

ITUC climate change webpages.

ITUC global shifts – just transition webpages.

Hazards climate and workers’ health webpages.

2024, 2024 Global

ILO adopts climate risks theme for 28 April 2024

The impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health

Every 28 April, the International Labour Organization (ILO) commemorates the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, focusing on a timely theme related to occupational safety and health.This year, the theme will mirror the theme adopted by unions worldwide, and will focus on exploring the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health.Changing weather patterns have notable impacts on the world of work, particularly affecting workers safety and health. Examples of occupational risks exacerbated by climate change include heat stress, UV radiation, air pollution, major industrial accidents, extreme weather events, an increase in vector-born diseases and increased exposure to chemicals.The ILO will produce several materials for the World Day 2024, including a report, promotional materials, as well as a global event with experts and guest speakers from governments, employers and workers to discuss how to protect workers and respond to this global challenge (April 2024 Exact Date To be announced).

Promotional Materials

 

Contact Information

Safe Day Team

Email : safeday@ilo.org

Manal Azzi, Occupational Safety and Health Team Lead

Email : azzi@ilo.org

https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety-and-health-at-work/events-training/events-meetings/safeday2024/lang–en/index.htm

 

 

 

2023, 2023 USA, Events listing, News, Resources

USA: AFL-CIO – Workers Memorial Day 2023 – Organize! Safe Jobs Now

   

AFL-CIO’s Workers Memorial Day web page is  live! – and available for you to order materials and download artwork to use for your events, trainings, conferences, newsletters, and more. aflcio.org/WorkersMemorialDay

Each year since 1989, we commemorate this day to honor those we have lost on the job and we will organize to make the fundamental right of a safe job a reality for all workers. This year’s theme is “Organize! Safe Jobs Now.” focusing on dignity at work, the growth of the labor movement and equity through safe workplaces.

Please join us this April 28 to honor the victims of workplace injury and illness and the call to organize safe jobs for all workers. As we do every year, trade unionists around the country and globe will organize our communities and workplaces to observe Workers Memorial Day. We will highlight the toll of job injuries and deaths; demand that elected officials put workers’ well-being above corporate interests; and demand safe jobs for all. This year, and every year, the labor movement will defend the right of every worker to a safe job and build collective power to make that right a reality.

We can’t do this alone, and together, we need to organize all workers in this fight for safer working conditions. We are building campaigns leading up to the end of April and throughout the year to mourn and fight.

Please use the resources below when planning for this year’s Workers Memorial Day and reach out to us with any questions, concerns, comments along the way.

Materials and Artwork:

Please visit this page to view and download this year’s materials and artwork. These include posters, stickers, and fliers in English and Spanish. Stickers are available for “Organize! Safe Jobs Now” and for “Mourn for the Dead. Fight for the Living.”

Please place your order for materials here. You can either pick up materials in person at our Washington DC headquarters or have them shipped to you.

Workers Memorial Day Events:

We want to hear about your Workers Memorial Day plans! Please share your event with us so that we can include it on our map of events across the country. Plan events, actions, activities and observances with suggestions in our flier.

Toolkit Coming Soon:

We are working expediently to distribute more materials to help you plan your commemorations and advocacy efforts. These include talking points, sample materials for media outreach, worker safety and health facts, state-by-state safety and health data, fact sheets, digital resources, infographics and more.

How to reach out to us about Workers Memorial Day:

oshmail@aflcio.org or 202-637-5047

Hashtags you can use to build solidarity online around Workers Memorial Day: 

#iwmd2023 #WorkersMemorialDay #1uSafety

Please note: Our annual report, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, will be published at the end of April. You can place orders now for a hard copy of the report, and it will be shipped later. It will also be available electronically.

Come organize with us!

aflcio.org/workersmemorialday

2023, 2023 global, Events listing, News

Global: Organising for health and safety – a crucial part of union action

1 Comment

2023 will be a key year for trade unions and working people. Last year, we secured recognition that a safe and healthy work environment is a right for workers. This has given a new impetus to organising for health and safety – a crucial part of union action. This year’s Workers’ Memorial Day, April 28 is dedicated to this core union priority.

Owen Tudor, ITUC deputy general secretary.
ITUC newsletter, 6 February 2023.

#iwmd23

#iwmd22, 2022, 2022 Asia-Pacific, 2022 Fiji, Events listing, Gallery, News

Fiji: Minister Launches National OHS Plan

Fiji Commerce and Employees Federation IR consultant Noel Tofiga, MP Alvick Maharaj, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Parveen Bala, Director ILO for the Pacific Island countries Martin Karimli, and FTUC rep Rouhit Karan Singh during the launch at the Sugar Cane Growers Council Building in Lautoka on April 28, 2022. Photo: Waisea Nasokia/Fiji Sun

Fiji’s Ministry of Employment in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has implemented a five-year Occupational Health Service Strategic Plan.

The partners include employers’ and unions’ representatives, international partners, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and World Health Organisation (WHO).

“My Ministry in collaboration with the tripartite National OHS Advisory Board has already endorsed the process to ratify ILO Convention 161 on Occupational Health Services, ILO Convention 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, and ILO Convention 162 on the elimination of asbestos,” said Parveen Kumar Bala, the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations.

Source: Fiji Sun

2022, 2022 North America, 2022 USA, Events listing, graphics, Resources

USA: Workers Memorial Day 2022: Materials and Resources – AFL-CIO

AFLO-CIO is gearing up for International Workers’ Memorial Day with a comprehensive suite of resources including briefings, information, posters, stickers, graphics and events listings available in English and Spanish.  The details below are from  Safety and Health Director Rebecca L. Reindel.

Flyer [English]
Flyer [español]
 

 

 

 

 

Colleagues,

Workers Memorial Day, April 28, is just around the corner. This year, the labor movement will commemorate those we have lost on the job and will organize to make the fundamental right of a safe job a reality for all workers. This year’s theme is “Organize! Safe Jobs Now.” Attached are AFL-CIO President Shuler’s letter, launching Workers Memorial Day planning this year and English and Spanish versions of this year’s flier.

Please join us this April 28 to honor the victims of workplace injury and illness and the call to organize for safe jobs for all workers. As we do every year, trade unionists around the country and globe will organize our communities and workplaces to observe Workers Memorial Day.

We will highlight the toll of job injuries and deaths; demand that elected officials put workers’ well-being above corporate interests; and demand safe jobs for all. This year, and every year, the labor movement will defend the right of every worker to a safe job and build collective power to make that right a reality.

Please use the resources below when planning for this year’s Workers Memorial Day and reach out to us with any questions, concerns, comments along the way.

Materials and Artwork:

Please scroll down our Workers Memorial Day home page to view and download this year’s materials and artwork: aflcio.org/workersmemorialday. These include posters, stickers, and fliers in English and Spanish. Stickers are available for “Organize! Safe Jobs Now” and for “Mourn for the Dead. Fight for the Living.”

Please place your order for materials here. You can either pick up materials in person at our Washington DC headquarters or have them shipped to you.

Workers Memorial Day Events:

We want to hear about your Workers Memorial Day plans! Please share your event with us so that we can include it on our map of events across the country.

Plan events, actions, activities and observances with suggestions in our flier. If gathering in person, especially indoors, please follow CDC’s guidelines on organizing large events and gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toolkit Coming Soon:
Soon, we will be distributing more materials to help you plan your commemorations and advocacy efforts. These include talking points, sample materials for media outreach, worker safety and health facts, state-by-state safety and health data, fact sheets, digital resources, infographics and other information.

How to reach out to us about Workers Memorial Day:
oshmail@aflcio.org or 202-637-5341

Hashtags you can use to build solidarity online around Workers Memorial Day:
#IWMD2022 #WorkersMemorialDay #1uSafety

Rebecca L. Reindel, MS, MPH (she/her)
Safety and Health Director, AFL-CIO
815 Black Lives Matter Plaza, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006

2022, News, Resources

Reconnaître la santé et la sécurité au travail comme un droit fondamental à l’occasion de la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs

Reconnaître la santé et la sécurité au travail comme un droit fondamental à l’occasion de la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs – le 28 avril #IWMD22 – Confédération Syndicale Internationale

Make safe and healthy work a fundamental right this International Workers’ Memorial Day – 28 April #IWMD22 – International Trade Union Confederation

Hacer de la salud y seguridad en el trabajo un derecho fundamental esta Jornada Internacional de Conmemoración – 28 de abril #IWMD22 – Confederación Sindical Internacional

Reconnaître la santé et la sécurité au travail comme un droit fondamental à l’occasion de la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs – le 28 avril #IWMD22

À l’occasion de la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs #IWMD22, les organisations syndicales font pression en exigeant que la santé et la sécurité soient finalement reconnues comme l’un des principes et droits fondamentaux au travail.

04-02-2022

« Cela ne fait aucun doute. Tous les travailleurs et travailleuses devraient savoir qu’ils ont le droit de s’attendre à ce que tout soit mis en oeuvre pour assurer leur sécurité au travail.

« Nous appelons l’Organisation internationale du travail (OIT) à adopter la santé et la sécurité au travail comme un droit fondamental au travail. Il est tout aussi important que la liberté syndicale et l’élimination du travail forcé, du travail des enfants et de la discrimination dans l’emploi », a déclaré la secrétaire générale de la CSI, Sharan Burrow.

Trois ans se sont écoulés depuis que l’OIT a convenu, lors de sa Conférence du centenaire, que cette mesure serait adoptée. À cette époque, quelque 8,1 millions de personnes ont perdu la vie à cause de leur travail et de nombreuses autres aujourd’hui subissent des lésions ou sont atteintes de maladies qui ont changé leur vie car leur employeur ne les a pas protégées.

Et d’ajouter : « La pandémie de Covid-19 a démontré, sans l’ombre d’un doute, que les travailleurs ne peuvent plus attendre. Les décès sur le lieu de travail sont évitables et les derniers chiffres indiquent qu’un travailleur meurt au moins toutes les dix secondes. Ce faisant, l’OIT ferait un premier pas en vue de réduire ce nombre effarant de décès et de lésions ».

Plus qu’un droit fondamental

La CSI et ses organisations affiliées appellent les gouvernements à prendre des mesures pour :

  • ratifier et mettre en oeuvre les conventions fondamentales de l’OIT sur la sécurité et la santé ;
  • ratifier et mettre en oeuvre toutes les conventions sectorielles ou sur les risques professionnels ;
  • établir des instances nationales chargées de la santé et de la sécurité regroupant des représentants des syndicats et des employeurs ;
  • assurer des services de santé au travail pour tous et garantir des mesures d’indemnisation appropriées, notamment en reconnaissant la Covid-19 comme maladie professionnelle.

« Les employeurs doivent prendre leurs responsabilités en matière d’évaluation et d’éradication des risques sur les lieux de travail et dans les chaînes d’approvisionnement, et consulter les syndicats en ce qui concerne la prévention par le biais de comités de santé et de sécurité sur le lieu de travail.

« En outre, il est nécessaire que l’OIT agisse davantage, relève des défis tels que le stress au travail et les troubles musculo-squelettiques, et élabore une convention sur les risques biologiques, notamment la Covid-19. Il est urgent que la Covid-19 soit reconnue comme la menace qu’elle pose au lieu de travail. La sécurité et la santé devraient constituer la première priorité au travail, et non pas une réflexion ultérieure occasionnelle », a conclu Sharan Burrow.

https://www.ituc-csi.org/la-Journee-internationale-de-commemoration-des-travailleuses-et-des-travailleurs-2022

2022, News, Resources

Make safe and healthy work a fundamental right this International Workers’ Memorial Day

Make safe and healthy work a fundamental right this International Workers’ Memorial Day – 28 April #IWMD22 – International Trade Union Confederation

Hacer de la salud y seguridad en el trabajo un derecho fundamental esta Jornada Internacional de Conmemoración – 28 de abril #IWMD22 – Confederación Sindical Internacional

Reconnaître la santé et la sécurité au travail comme un droit fondamental à l’occasion de la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleuses et des travailleurs – le 28 avril #IWMD22 – Confédération Syndicale Internationale

Make safe and healthy work a fundamental right this International Workers’ Memorial Day – 28 April #IWMD22

Workers’ unions are pressing their demand this International Workers’ Memorial Day #IWMD22 to finally make health and safety at work a fundamental principle and right.

04-02-2022

“It’s a no-brainer. Every working person should know that they have the right to expect that everything is done to keep them safe at work.

“We demand that the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopts occupational health and safety as a fundamental right at work. It’s as important as freedom of association and the elimination of forced labour, child labour and discrimination in employment,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

Three years have passed since the ILO Centenary Conference agreed that this would be done. In that time around 8.1 million people have died as a result of their work, and even more now live with life-altering injuries and illnesses because their employer did not protect them.

Sharan Burrow continued: “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated beyond doubt that working people can’t wait for this any longer. Workplace deaths are preventable deaths and the latest figures show that a worker dies at least once every ten seconds. By doing this the ILO will be making a start on cutting this appalling toll of death and injuries.“

More than a fundamental right

The ITUC and its affiliates are calling on governments to take action by:

  • ratifying and implementing core ILO health and safety conventions;
  • ratifying and implementing all sectoral or hazard-specific conventions;
  • establishing national health and safety bodies bringing unions and employer representatives together;
  • requiring occupational health services for all, and proper compensation including making Covid-19 a recognised occupational disease.

“Employers must take responsibility for assessing and eradicating risks in their workplaces and in their supply chains, and consulting unions on prevention through workplace health and safety committees.

“And we need the ILO to do more and address challenges like stress at work, musculoskeletal disorders and a convention on biological hazards like Covid-19. It is urgent that Covid-19 is recognised for the workplace threat that it is. Health and safety should be the first priority at work, not an occasional after thought,” concluded Sharan Burrow.

https://www.ituc-csi.org/International-Workers-Memorial-Day-2022

2021, 2021 Latin America, Events listing

Latin America: 2.7 million preventable deaths