The right to a safe and healthy work environment is now enshrined int the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO’s) framework of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
The right to a healthy and safe workplace was adopted as a new fundamental right at this year’s International Labour Conference in Geneva following years of global union campaigning.
In Australia, 200 workers die at work each year and a further 5,000 workers die from occupational diseases including asbestos related disease and silicosis.
In the Asia Pacific region, it is estimated there are more than 1.1 million deaths each year from work related trauma or disease; with this number likely to be much higher, due to underreporting.
