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14 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 21/2004
S afety and health in the volatile industrial sectors in which workers represented by ICEM affiliates are employed continues to be major focus of the 20-million-member global union federation. The predominant trade union federation covering mining, chemicals, energy and process industries vows on 28 April 2004-Workers' Memorial Day-to continue its work in promoting a safe and healthy work culture worldwide.
28 April is officially known as the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, and has seen official legislation adopting that day as such by 12 nations. The ICEM in early March issued a circular to its 400 affiliates in 125 countries encouraging them to draw attention to the day in some official manner.
"Workers' Memorial Day is gaining local, national and international recognition with each passing year," stated ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs. "But, important as the day is to draw attention to those who perished or have been injured at work, April 28th must become a day in which we focus on what workers and their unions can do to improve everyday workplace health and safety."
Higgs added that the ICEM has committed to carrying forward-looking health and safety language into all the Global Framework Agreements it signs with multinational firms. "Such agreements crucially contain a commitment to the development and promotion of the highest health and safety standards in the company concerned," said Higgs.
The ICEM's Global Agreements now numbering eight provide the framework for ongoing dialogue, information exchange and joint activities with signatory companies that are vital components of a longer-term programme for health and safety improvements.
The ILO estimates 2.2 million people die annually due to their work. That amounts to 6,000 deaths a day, or one every 15 seconds. In addition, workers suffer 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million occupational diseases each year. The ILO also states that twice as many men than woman die at work because they are more likely to perform dangerous tasks.
On 28 April 2004, the ICEM has endorsed a twin theme for workers and affiliates to follow: a World Day for Safe and Healthy Work, and Employer Accountability. The Safe and Healthy Work theme focuses on promoting a clear position on a world asbestos ban, as well as stringent actions in safe use of pesticides, industrial compounds and byproducts such as PCB variations and dioxins. The goal is to link safe use and union activities promoting such with the principles drawn from work performed by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.
Employer Accountability calls on private sector employers to adhere to the key institutional mechanisms such as ILO Conventions, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN's Global Compact and Global Reporting Initiative. This also relates to all levels of governments since they are both employers and guardians of the public interest regarding private sector enterprises.
28 April is officially known as the International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers, and has seen official legislation adopting that day as such by 12 nations. The ICEM in early March issued a circular to its 400 affiliates in 125 countries encouraging them to draw attention to the day in some official manner.
"Workers' Memorial Day is gaining local, national and international recognition with each passing year," stated ICEM General Secretary Fred Higgs. "But, important as the day is to draw attention to those who perished or have been injured at work, April 28th must become a day in which we focus on what workers and their unions can do to improve everyday workplace health and safety."
Higgs added that the ICEM has committed to carrying forward-looking health and safety language into all the Global Framework Agreements it signs with multinational firms. "Such agreements crucially contain a commitment to the development and promotion of the highest health and safety standards in the company concerned," said Higgs.
The ICEM's Global Agreements now numbering eight provide the framework for ongoing dialogue, information exchange and joint activities with signatory companies that are vital components of a longer-term programme for health and safety improvements.
The ILO estimates 2.2 million people die annually due to their work. That amounts to 6,000 deaths a day, or one every 15 seconds. In addition, workers suffer 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million occupational diseases each year. The ILO also states that twice as many men than woman die at work because they are more likely to perform dangerous tasks.
On 28 April 2004, the ICEM has endorsed a twin theme for workers and affiliates to follow: a World Day for Safe and Healthy Work, and Employer Accountability. The Safe and Healthy Work theme focuses on promoting a clear position on a world asbestos ban, as well as stringent actions in safe use of pesticides, industrial compounds and byproducts such as PCB variations and dioxins. The goal is to link safe use and union activities promoting such with the principles drawn from work performed by the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.
Employer Accountability calls on private sector employers to adhere to the key institutional mechanisms such as ILO Conventions, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN's Global Compact and Global Reporting Initiative. This also relates to all levels of governments since they are both employers and guardians of the public interest regarding private sector enterprises.