The first of the five scopes of "decent working time" is healthy working time. The need for working time to be both healthy and safe is an established apprehension dating back to the very first ILO international labour standard, the Hours of Work (Industry) Convention in 1919.

Habitual long working hours and "unsocial" working hours such as night work are not healthy for workers. They can cost enterprises considerable amounts of capital due to amplified accidents in the workplace. Furthermore, the long hours at work will inadvertently lead to increased levels of fatigue, stress, sleeping disorders, and harmful lifestyle behaviours such as irregular diet, and lack of exercise. Not to mention the long term effects such as cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and reproductive disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, chronic infections, and mental illnesses which may result from all the extra time spent at the workplace. Appropriate national policies should be implemented in line with ILO’s Conventions to protect workers against long hours of work.

See also the CIS News items of June 2007

For further information on this subject, please contact the ILO Conditions of Work and Employment Programme at: www.ilo.org/travail.