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Each year, on April 28th, communities worldwide commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, emphasizing the urgent need to create safer working environments and highlighting the fundamental connection between occupational safety, human dignity, and social justice. At its heart, this day serves as a vital reminder that workplace safety is not merely about compliance or technical regulations—it’s intrinsically a human rights issue.
Workplace Safety as a Human Right
Every individual has the inherent right to work in conditions of dignity, respect, and safety. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) explicitly recognizes this in Article 23, stating: “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.” Despite such international recognition, occupational hazards continue to pose significant threats to workers globally. The International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that nearly 3 million workers die each year due to work-related accidents and diseases, marking an increase of more than 5% compared to 2015. Additionally, approximately 395 million workers sustain non-fatal occupational injuries annually.
These statistics represent more than mere numbers; they reflect personal tragedies, families disrupted, and communities affected. Vulnerable groups, including those in precarious employment, migrant laborers, and workers in high-risk sectors like agriculture and construction, often bear the brunt of these occupational risks.
Global Responsibility and Local Action
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work calls for both collective responsibility and individual action. Employers are urged to cultivate cultures of safety by implementing comprehensive health and safety measures, providing adequate training, and actively involving employees in safety-related decisions. Beyond legal obligations, employers have an ethical duty to protect lives, thereby upholding justice and dignity in the workplace.
On a governmental level, nations must allocate resources and demonstrate political will to uphold workplace safety. This includes establishing effective inspection systems, enforcing labor laws stringently, providing comprehensive health coverage, and ensuring access to social protections. States are obligated to translate the rights enshrined in international human rights conventions into tangible practices, particularly within marginalized communities.
At the grassroots level, empowering workers through education and awareness initiatives is indispensable. Educational programs, advocacy training, and public awareness campaigns can amplify workers’ voices, enabling them to demand safer conditions and fair treatment without fear. Justice-oriented organizations play a crucial role by offering resources, legal assistance, and advocacy platforms, bridging the gap between workers’ experiences and policy-making arenas.
A Call to Action: Safety as Justice
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work transcends commemoration—it’s a call to sustainable change. Justice education provides a foundational step toward recognizing and respecting workplace safety as an essential human right. By uniting workers, employers, communities, and governments collectively, we can create safe, dignified, and just workplaces.
On this significant day, let us renew our commitment to advocating for those whose voices often remain unheard. Let us educate ourselves and others, affirming that occupational safety is not optional but a matter of fundamental human rights and social justice.
In doing so, we honor those who have suffered or lost their lives at work and stand in solidarity with workers everywhere, dedicated to building a safer, fairer world.
By: Touska Gholami
Digitalization and automation are impacting millions of jobs worldwide, presenting unprecedented opportunities to enhance occupational safety and health.
PHOTO: Adobe Stock/Chatchanan