The UN labour company, ILO, says it’s turning into more and more involved about working situations in Iraq, the place temperatures have soared to 50 levels Celsius in latest weeks.
Harmful sectors
Based on the latest Labour Drive Survey, one in 4 employees in Iraq is employed both in building or agriculture – already thought-about among the many most hazardous sectors on this planet.
A 2019 report by the UN company highlighted that the “rise in international temperatures attributable to local weather change will make warmth stress extra widespread” – threatening progress in the direction of respectable work.
In the meantime, as situations deteriorate the safety, well being and well-being of employees will seemingly endure.
Defending informal employees
Ms. Kattaa stated that whereas employees in some elements of Iraq have been given day without work due to the warmth, measures have to be taken to guard these in casual, short-term, seasonal or day labour who can’t afford to overlook a day of labor.
This might embody offering applicable clothes; entry to consuming water and shaded areas; and being inspired to work throughout cooler hours with applicable break instances.
It additionally includes making certain that laws associated to occupational security and well being is being enforced by means of labour inspections – particularly in sectors that face the best dangers.
Modernizing work well being and security
Iraq has ratified a lot of ILO Conventions that concentrate on the necessity to defend employees all through totally different sectors.
Most just lately, this was executed by means of the ratification of the Security and Well being in Agriculture Conference, 2001 (No. 184), which re-affirms the nation’s dedication to respectable work and worldwide labour requirements.
Ms. Kattaa reiterated that the ILO is dedicated to supporting its companions within the growth of occupational security and well being and labour inspection insurance policies.
These will contribute to modernizing present programs and enhancing situations for employees and their employers.
Whereas these efforts should not particular to warmth stress at work, they are going to assist guarantee a extra and higher working setting for all employees in Iraq, Ms. Kattaa stated.
“The security and well being of employees are the duty of everybody,” she stated.
“All of us have a task to play – even when small – to make sure that working situations are respectable and protected and that our surroundings is protected against additional degradation”.
