World Health and Safety Day: A healthy working environment as fundamental work right

Dear Minister Adrović, dear representatives of social partners, dear representatives of international organisations, my fellow colleagues and friends of the United Nations

Let me start by welcoming you all here today and thanking the Government and our sister agency ILO for joint efforts on emphasizing this important event around A HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT on the occasion of the World Health and Safety Day.

On April 28th each year, the International Labour Organization (ILO) commemorates World Day for Safety and Health at Work, to focus attention on the need to protect safety, health and well-being of all workers worldwide.

It is estimated that 6,500 people die every day in the world, due to occupational accidents and diseases. World Day for Safety and Health at Work provides an opportunity to promote the effective implementation of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) processes, frameworks, and changes, through better understanding and strengthening collaboration between different stakeholders.

In ensuring health and safety standards for all workers, all have their part of responsibility: Organizations, labour unions, governments, employers and the public health sector. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration between all, in reducing workplace-related injuries, accidents, illnesses, and fatalities.

In June 2022, “a safe and healthy working environment” has been incorporated into the ILO’s fundamental principles and rights at work, thereby making it an obligation of every ILO member to respect, promote, and realize these principles.  This is what brings hope, an inclusive environment, where every employee and worker should feel comfortable in raising concerns, and suggestions with management without retribution or punishments.

The National Safety Council reported that by 2023, there will be a total of 4.26 million work-related medically consulted injuries globally. Of these non-fatal injuries that often results in long periods of rehabilitation, 84% are due to slips, trips, overexertion, falls, contact with objects and equipment, and bodily reactions.

ILO estimates that every year, around 2.3 million men and women are killed as a result of occupational accidents and diseases; this translates to more than 6,500 deaths each day. The ILO also reports that there are 340 million occupational accidents and 160 million victims of work-related illnesses.

These worrying figures make today’s observance even more important. Each of us is responsible for stopping deaths and injuries on the job.  Governments are accountable for providing the infrastructure — laws and oversight that are essential to ensure that workers remain safe. As employers, we are responsible for ensuring that the working environment is sound and healthy. As workers, we must take personal responsibility for our own safety and the safety of our peers, and understand our own rights.

At this point, in the spirit of the 2030 Agenda, I must mention the ones we must not leave behind. Disability inclusion refers to promoting and ensuring the participation of people with disabilities in education, training and employment and all aspects of society and providing the necessary support and reasonable accommodation so that they can fully participate in the world of work. Providing appropriate workings conditions and environment to all disabled people, would be a right step towards their full integration and society benefits are countless. Occupational safety and health here plays the crucial role.

Many work in the unprotected, informal economy. Few have access to skills development and other opportunities that would enable them to earn a decent living. The potential of very many disabled women and men remains untapped and unrecognized, leaving a majority living in poverty, dependence and social exclusion. Excluding disabled persons from the world of work has costs for societies, in terms of their productive potential, the cost of disability benefits and pensions and implications for their families and carers. Promoting equality of opportunity for – and inclusion of – people with disabilities is central to social and economic development, emergence from the global financial and economic crisis and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

ILO concern with disability issues is based on its commitment to social justice and achieving decent and productive work for all.

Here in Montenegro, we, the UN family, are committed to support the advancement of the Occupational Safety and Health standards to help Government and key actors in society to ensure progress along the path towards the European Union, and to finally close Chapter 19. To make meaningful progress, we need to clarify and streamline the institutional framework so that responsibilities are clear and effective all the time.

Let me by conclude my short interventions by saying that I am delighted that today's topics for discussion have been carefully selected by my colleagues to address real-world and day to day challenges and perspectives here in Montenegro. The panels are composed of an array of experts, along with a wide range of participants from various organisations and sectors, this demonstrates a unified goal and presents a positive sign for the future.

By this I wish you all fruitful deliberations, and I thank you for your attention.