12/04/2007
Three of the world’s leading organizations representing trade unions, occupational health and public health organizations will ask their membership organizations throughout the world to ask Health Ministers to support the WHO ‘Global Plan of Action on Worker’s Health’. The Plan will be discussed at the World Health Assembly next 14-23 May in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Jorma Rantanen of the International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH) said that the Global Plan of Action is a welcomed move for implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Occupational Health for All and thus helps to relieve the enormous inequalities in working conditions and health among the working people of the world.

Mr. Guy Ryder of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) called on his members to vigorously support the plan because it establishes a realistic long term programme with other actors to deal with specific issues, such as occupational cancer, chemicals, asbestos & heavy metal contamination, along with HIVAIDS.

Dr. Peter Orris of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) predicts that the plan of action will strengthen occupational health programs in Ministries of Public Health and public health national associations.   This increased attention will provide new input into the realistic implementation of measures protecting workers health in each country.

The three organizations are asking their members to communicate directly with Health Ministers of their country for their support of the WHO’s Action Plan. They also want the WHO to implement the plan in collaboration with the ILO and with Social and Labour ministries, working together with the Ministers of Health at the country level.

The joint actions are timed to form part of the 28 April ‘International Commemoration Day (ICD) for Dead and Injured Workers which will culminate, just before the WHO annual Health Assembly next May. The ICOH, ITUC and WFPHA invite their members to engage their Health Ministers before or in time for the 28 April ICD.

• Workers’ health: draft global plan of action
• For more information contact: (WFPHA); (ICOH) ; (ITUC) [c/o Lucien Royer]