International News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): The International Labour Organization (IL)
will be observing its World Day for Safety and Health at Work under the theme “Workplace Stress: a collective challenge” on April 28 to promote safe, healthy and decent work around the globe.
The UN, IL and other organizations, communities, individuals, and
government bodies with an interest in workplace health and safety unite to
promote an international campaign known as World Day for Safety and Health at Work since April 28, 2003.
Every year some two million men and women lose their lives through
accidents and diseases linked to their work.
There are 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million
occupational diseases each year, incurring US$ 2.8 trillion in costs for lost working time and expenses for treatment, compensation and rehabilitation. Fatalities, accidents and illness at work are highly preventable and we have an obligation to act.
Psychosocial risks such as increased competition, higher expectations
on performance and longer working hours are contributing to the workplace
becoming an ever more stressful environment.
Work-related stress is now generally acknowledged as global issue
affecting all countries, all professions and all workers both in developed and developing countries.
In this complex context, the workplace is at the same time an
important source of psychosocial risks and the ideal venue to address them in order to protect the health and well-being of workers.
In addition, due to the significant changes labour relations and the
current economic recession, workers are experiencing organizational changes
and restructuring, reduced work opportunities, increasing precarious work ,
the fear of losing their jobs, massive layoffs and unemployment and decreased financial stability, with serious consequences to their mental health and well-being.
Community leaders and organizational representatives often promote the
day by speaking out on issues such as workplace health and safety standards.
Various media have promoted the day through news articles and
broadcast programmes. Different types of events and activities that center on workplace health and safety are held in many countries on the day each year.
The IL is devoted to advancing opportunities for people to obtain
decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. It aims to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities,
In recent years, there has been growing attention to the impact of
psychosocial risks and work-related stress among researchers, practitioners
and policymakers.