On April 28 every year, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed globally to increase awareness about the importance of protecting workers from occupational hazards, accidents, and illnesses. This day provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to prioritise the safety and well-being of workers and promote a work environment that is conducive to their health.
World Day for Safety and Health Theme
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) is responsible for selecting the theme for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
- This year, the theme is “A safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work.”
- The primary goal of this event is to explore practical ways to establish this crucial human right in workplaces all over the world.
World Day for Safety and Health Significance
- This day provides an opportunity for individuals and organisations to recognize the fundamental human right to a safe and healthy workplace and advocate for measures to promote this right.
- It also serves as a reminder of the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent work-related accidents and illnesses and promote workplace safety and health.
- In addition, World Day for Safety and Health at Work offers a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices on safety and health in the workplace, which can help to improve working conditions and prevent workplace accidents and illnesses.
- By highlighting the issue of work-related accidents and illnesses, this day helps to raise awareness of the importance of safe and healthy workplaces for sustainable economic development.
- Overall, World Day for Safety and Health at Work plays a vital role in promoting the well-being of workers worldwide and advocating for safe and healthy work environments.
History of World Day for Safety and Health at Work
- The World Day for Safety and Health at Work, also known as International Workers’ Memorial Day, was first observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2003.
- The day aims to promote safe and healthy working conditions and raise awareness of work-related accidents and illnesses.
- The ILO selected April 28th as the date for the annual observance because it is the anniversary of the 1971 Occupational Safety and Health Convention.
- This convention was a milestone in the development of international labour standards, as it recognized the right to a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental human right.
- Since then, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work has been observed by governments, employers, and workers’ organisations worldwide.
- Each year, the ILO selects a theme for the day, and events and activities are organised to promote the theme and raise awareness of workplace safety and health issues.
About International Labour Organization (ILO)
- The ILO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that was established in 1919.
- Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
- The ILO aims to promote social justice and promote decent working conditions for all people.
- It has 187 member states, which represent governments, employers, and workers from around the world.
- India became a member of the ILO on June 28, 1919.
- In March 2022, the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization elected Gilbert F. Houngbo as its 11th Director-General for a term of five years.
- The ILO is the only tripartite United Nations agency, meaning that it brings together representatives from governments, employers, and workers to develop and promote labour standards, policies, and programs.
- The ILO is responsible for setting and promoting international labour standards, which are non-binding recommendations and conventions that governments can adopt to improve working conditions in their countries.
- Some of the issues that the ILO addresses include child labour, forced labour, discrimination in the workplace, and workplace safety and health.
- The ILO has played a key role in developing and promoting the International Labour Organization Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which outlines four core labour rights: the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced labor, the abolition of child labour, and the elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation.
- In 1969, the ILO was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to promote social justice and improve working conditions around the world.
