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The Global Commission on the Future of Work calls for fundamental changes in health at work: WHO

 

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The ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work calls for fundamental changes in the way we work in the new wave of globalization, rapid technological development, demographic transition and climate change, according to its report Work for a Brighter Future published today. The report examines how to achieve a better future of work for all at a time of unprecedented change and exceptional challenges in the world of work.

These changes require placing health higher on the agenda of the world of work. Everybody has the right to health, which is defined by WHO as a state of complete physical and mental wellbeing and not only the absence of disease and infirmity. Working people have also the right to health and to healthcare as close as possible to where they live and work.

Healthier and safer workplaces can prevent at least 1,2 million deaths every year, according to a 2018 WHO study

WHO welcomes the recommendation of the Global Commission to establish a Universal Labour Guarantee that includes a set of basic working conditions, such as adequate living wage, limits on hours of work and safe and healthy workplaces. Fair employment and decent working conditions are powerful determinant of health.

WHO is working with countries to extend universal health coverage to 1 billion more people, as well as the most basic interventions and services for safer and healthier workplaces for workers in all forms of employment, including in the informal economy, migrant workers and digital platforms. It is at the workplace where the Universal Health Coverage and the Universal Labour Guarantee can make a visible difference in the daily life of working people and their facilities. WHO is committed to work with ILO to make this happen.

In 2018, WHO and ILO established a global coalition on occupational safety and health as multi-partner initiative of international and national agencies to create common solutions for the challenges for health and safety at work and to stimulate joint actions by health and labour sectors in countries.

WHO furthermore welcomes the attention given by the Global Commission on the care economy and healthcare is a major part of it. WHO is working with ILO and OECD to implement the five-year ‘Working for Health’  global action plan to create new and decent job opportunities in health care, thus ensuring the necessary workforce for universal health coverage and stimulating economic growth.

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