Articles

August 2008

1. 

   Promoting safe and healthy jobs: The ILO Global Programme on Safety, Health and the Environment (Safework)

   01 August 2008

   The adoption in 2006 of a far-reaching ILO Convention (No. 187) and Recommendation (No. 197) concerning the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health provides a key tool in the struggle to meet the challenges of OSH in today’s fast-paced, globalized economy. In this article Dr. Sameera Al-Tuwaijri, Director of the ILO Safework Programme, describes these challenges and how the ILO is responding to them.

July 2008

1. 

   HIV/AIDS - Universal action now: the role of the workplace

   31 July 2008

   When the 17th International AIDS Conference gets underway in Mexico City on 3 August, it will mark one of the largest gatherings ever held on HIV/AIDS, with more than 20,000 expected to attend. For the ILO, the conference will provide a global platform for intensifying awareness of the vital role of the workplace in addressing a wide range of HIV/AIDS issues. High-level support is being given by the Regional Director for the Americas, Mr. Jean Maninat, who will lead the ILO delegation. ILO Online spoke with Dr. Sophia Kisting, Director of the ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work (ILOAIDS), about the goals and objectives of the ILO at this year’s international conference.

2. 

   Road building in Liberia: One UN, many new jobs

   17 July 2008

   After 14 years of conflict, Liberia has begun working its way back to peace and prosperity. But with a high rate of working poor, job creation is a daunting challenge. ILO Online reports from the capital, Monrovia.

3. 

   The AREA programme in Argentina: working together to create jobs

   11 July 2008

   The ILO-run AREA project, funded by the Italian government, has helped many Argentine workers and companies recover from the 2001 financial crisis by creating jobs and improving livelihoods. ILO Online reports from Argentina.

4. 

   Microinsurance and OSH: helping to cope with workplace risks, Work-related accidents and diseases take a grim toll every year.

   09 July 2008

   Work-related accidents and diseases take a grim toll every year. Although prevention can help improve occupational safety and health (OSH), microinsurance can also play a complementary role in coping with workplace risks and provide direct benefits to employers and workers.

5. 

   Shining a light of hope: Occupational safety and health in the informal economy. Hundreds of millions of workers worldwide suffer from work-related diseases and accidents.

   09 July 2008

   The ILO estimates that hundreds of millions of workers worldwide suffer from work-related diseases and accidents, the poorest and the least protected being the worst sufferers. Bringing occupational safety and health to those working and living in the informal economy represents a particular challenge as this report from the slums of Pune in India shows.

6. 

   International Day of Cooperatives - Cooperating in times of crisis

   03 July 2008

   This year, the growing role of cooperatives in confronting global crises of climate change and food price rises is garnering growing attention. Cooperatives can play an increasingly important role in balancing economic, social and environmental concerns as well as in contributing to poverty reduction and prevention. ILO Online interview with Hagen Henry, Head of the ILO’s Cooperative Programme.

7. 

   Microinsurance and OSH: helping to cope with workplace risks

   02 July 2008

   Work-related accidents and diseases take a grim toll every year. Although prevention can help improve occupational safety and health (OSH), microinsurance can also play a complementary role in coping with workplace risks and provide direct benefits to employers and workers. ILO Online reports.

June 2008

1. 

   Extending occupational safety and health to the informal economy - Article for the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work

   17 June 2008

   Over 1 billion people, more than 60 percent of Asia’s workforce, are still working in the informal economy, with little or no social protection. Experience shows that workers and small businesses in the informal economy are usually motivated to improve safety and health conditions out of their own initiative, but they still need practical support. ILO Online spoke with Tsuyoshi Kawakami, ILO specialist on occupational safety and health in Bangkok.

2. 

   “We will continue to move forward”: managing risk at work in Kazakhstan

   17 June 2008

   The 18th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Seoul, Republic of Korea, will unveil best practices and examples in promoting effective occupational safety and health (OSH) systems as one of the key factors in sustainable economic growth and development. ILO Online reports from Kazakhstan – a country that pioneered new approaches to occupational safety and health and became a model for other countries of Central Asia.