Promoting a safe and healthy working environment in Thailand and Cambodia

About the project

According to the latest estimates from the ILO, nearly three million people worldwide die each year due to work-related accidents and diseases. A significant majority of these deaths are caused by work-related diseases. Notably, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for the largest share, representing 63% of global work-related fatalities.

Psychosocial hazards are increasingly recognized as a serious threat to both physical and mental health. In 2016 alone, an estimated 744,924 deaths globally were linked to long working hours. The World Health Organization (WHO) further highlights that poor mental health, including conditions like depression and anxiety, leads to the loss of approximately 12 billion working days annually, costing the global economy nearly one trillion US dollars.

In addition to the psychosocial hazards affecting all countries, Thailand and Cambodia face a further challenge from climate change. Rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions increase the risk of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Excessive heat alone is responsible for an estimated 22.85 million occupational injuries and 18,970 deaths every year.

Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach to occupational safety and health, prioritizing both physical and mental well-being, along with climate resilience measures to protect workers.

This project, funded by the Japanese government under the ILO’s Safety + Health for All flagship programme, aims to ensure and promote a safe and healthy working environment by addressing persistent and emerging risk factors.

Project strategy

• Consolidate knowledge and raise awareness on the promotion of safe and healthy working environment at the sub-regional level
• Support continuous improvement of national occupational and safety systems in Thailand and Cambodia
• Support workplace level actions through enhanced capacity of workers and employers and strengthened workplace cooperation in Thailand and Cambodia