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World Occupational Safety Day


Every year, the International Labor Organization (hereinafter - the ILO) determines the theme (motto) of the World Day of Occupational Safety and Health.

In 2023, the theme of World Occupational Health and Safety Day is "Safe and healthy

working environment—a basic principle and right at work"

(A Safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work).

The International Labor Organization was founded in 1919. It is one of the oldest international intergovernmental organizations — it will be 104 years old in 2023. The ILO defines its primary tasks as: supporting democracy and social dialogue, combating poverty and unemployment, banning child labor.

According to the decision of the organization, April 28 is celebrated as the World Occupational Safety Day to draw attention to these and other problems of today. It was first celebrated under this name in 2003. But the idea to start such a special day came after American and Canadian workers and unions held a Day of Remembrance for workers who died on the job in 1989.

On the International Day of Occupational Safety, Ukraine also celebrates the Day of Occupational Safety (Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 685/2006, issued on August 18, 2006). Occupational Health and Safety Day in Ukraine was introduced with the aim of drawing the attention of society, state authorities, and business entities to issues of occupational health and safety, prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases in Ukraine.

This was recognized by the International Labor Conference (ILC) in June 2022 and declared as the main conventions No. 155 — on occupational safety and health and No. 187 — on the promotion of occupational health and safety.

As a result of this decision, all member states of the International Labor Organization, even if they have not ratified these conventions, have an obligation to respect, promote and implement the principles that are the subject of these documents and relate to the fundamental rights of workers.

Today, when the country is losing its best sons and daughters to war, it is unacceptable to allow deaths at work. In order to increase the attention of workers and management of institutions to occupational safety and health issues, it is necessary to constantly improve the occupational health and safety management system and implement best practices to ensure safety at workplaces.