An ITUC Briefing explaining why trade unions must globally mobilise to protect workers from hazardous substances, with key facts and figures.
This 28th April, trade unions will commemorate those who lost their lives and health while trying to earn a living.
How?
By fighting harder so these tragedies do not happen again. In 2015, Global Unions will be reinforcing the message that no-one should be harmed by hazardous substances at work.
Why is this an issue?
Because dangerous chemical, biological and physical agents can be found in our workplaces in many forms, and represent a huge occupational risk for workers.
Because current regulatory systems are inadequate – and in some countries, non-existent – to protect workers.
Because trade unions can change this situation by:
– National centres highlighting the importance of this issue, advocating for improvements in the law on hazardous substances and improved enforcement of the law, and by exposing the preventable risks faced by workers.
– Sectoral federations educating the membership on risks in their industries, promoting when possible sectoral agreements on hazardous substances, and encouraging unions to include the issue in collective bargaining.
– Unions mobilising at the company and workplace level for Joint occupational health and safety (OHS) committees in order to address hazardous substances, bring this issue to union’s collective bargaining agenda, improve union capacity through carrying out organisation and training, and to fight for workplace rights.
Download the campaign here
Visit the OHS ITUC webpage: http://www.ituc-csi.org/ohs?lang=en
Visit the 28 April wwbpage: www.28April.org
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