Improving occupational safety and health, a challenge for Latin America and the Caribbean
Representatives of public institutions and employers' and workers' organizations, together with ILO experts, participated in a virtual conversation convened by the ILO on the present and future of occupational safety and health, following its inclusion as a fundamental principle and right.
Lima - The Latin American and Caribbean region faces a series of challenges in terms of ratifications, policies and institutions in order to promote occupational safety and health, which is now part of the fundamental principles and rights at work.
During a virtual conversation convened by the ILO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, ILO experts analysed the main challenges for the region, and also explained the importance and commitment implied in making a safe and healthy working environment a fundamental right.
At the same time, representatives of public safety and health institutions, as well as of employers' and workers' organizations, were invited to the meeting to testify on the challenges faced in their countries, the achievements made and how they are looking to the future.
The Chief of the ILO's Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and OSH Service, Joaquim Pintado, opened the discussion by indicating the need to increase the low number of ratifications of the 2 main ILO standards on this subject, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187).
According to data disclosed at the meeting, Convention 155 has 12 ratifications in the region, and Convention 187 only 5.
The meeting also reported that only 45 percent of ILO member states in the region have safety and health policies, and 27 percent have a national OSH program.
It is estimated that nearly three million people die each year from occupational accidents and diseases. The ILO has stressed that this has devastating effects on individuals and families, but also has a negative impact on the social fabric of countries, communities and even economies.
At the 2022 International Labour Conference, the tripartite delegates decided to amend the ILO Constitution to include "a safe and healthy working environment" as a fundamental principle and right at work. This means that the 2 Conventions have a universal scope of application covering all branches of economic activity and all workers.
In the virtual conversation organized this Monday from the Regional Office headquarters in Lima, the need to achieve effective social dialogue on occupational safety and health and the key role to be played by the social partners, employers and workers, were repeatedly highlighted.
Mention was also made of the great challenge posed by the high levels of informality in implementing effective OSH policies, which are difficult to implement when employment is precarious.
The impact of new technologies and teleworking, the importance of paying close attention to mental health, and the role of harassment and violence at work were also addressed during this virtual conversation.
Also participating in the meeting were Claudia Coenjaerts, ILO Regional Director a.i. for Latin America and the Caribbean, Tzvetomira Radoslavova, ILO Regional OSH Specialist, Ana Claudia Gastal, PAHO/WHO Regional Advisor on Workers' Health, Diana Carolina Galindo Poblador, Director of Occupational Risks of the Ministry of Labour of Colombia, and Racquel Jacobs-Lawrence, Labour Commissioner of the Department of Labour of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
For more information on this virtual conversation, please watch the video:
