Worker Welfare in GCC an Environmental Health and OSH Perspective

Transcription

1 Worker Welfare in GCC an Environmental Health and OSH Perspective Christian Hopper, International Client Advisor Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) 29 April 2015 Dubai, UAE

2 So, how are you all today? Fine, or Tired or Exhausted Hot or Cold Sick or Unwell Thirsty or Hungry Sad or Lonely Stressed or Anxious Disengaged

3 Contents Definitions and Legislative Drivers on Worker Welfare Challenges and Barriers Environmental Health perspective Aspects and Impacts of Worker Welfare on OSH Why invest in Worker Welfare? SLI.DO Survey / Solutions Positive GCC Initiatives Closing Thoughts

4 Welfare: Definitions & Drivers Health, happiness, prosperity, & well-being in general OR Statutory procedure or organised effort designed to promote the basic physical & material well being of people in need Increasing WW legislation across GCC countries ILO standards: Decent Work SAFE 1-4/Target 8.8 Spotlight of global investment and events Growing competition for labour, low and skilled across GCC In line with developing CSR/sustainability in GCC region

5 Welfare Stakeholders Governments Employers Recruiters/Agents Kafala/Sponsors ILO WHO Amnesty International/NGOs Human Rights Watch Trade Unions/ Welfare Reps Investors Origin Country Workers Partnership working essential for welfare success

6 Outside Eyes See Images: Brent Stirton: Dubai Labour.

7 Inside Eyes See Image: TDIC

8 Its Complicated.. International Labour Markets ARE complex. How to reform/tackle Country of Origin agents? Bad Press: media, vested interests, envy? Unprecedented growth and urban development Expo 2020, WC 2022, 2030 National Vision- drivers Positive commitments & actions made in recent years by many GCC governments, led by UAE,Qatar GCC states do/must keep laying the bricks of progress each day

9 But, welfare is in your camp Responsibility lies with employer who benefits from worker s output Legal, financial and moral duty Worker Welfare is a cultural issue also do workers matter Worker welfare a key component of OSH management/csr Your reputation / productivity / business / OSH performance is at stake from poor worker welfare Do happier workers work better & more safely?

10 Poor Welfare = Poor OSH Foundations Overcrowding Job Insecurity Lack of freedom Debt / low wages Job/salary didn t match expected Longer hours Away from home and loved ones Discrimination Social isolation/segregation Workers don t know rights SME firms not bought into WW Bad sponsors Factors beyond the OSH manager control but heighten risk?

11 What is the scope of Environmental Health practice? Living Environment Home Environment Food Recreational Environment Work Environment Stressors Biological Chemical Physical Social Psychoso cial Contributions of Environmental Health Practitioners: assessing, correcting and preventing impact of stressors

12 Welfare Impacts on OSH Sleep quality /length Safe rest places Sanitation facilities Breaks / working time Transport Food quality/safety Space /Light / Water /Ventilation Hygiene facilities Dust/dirty conditions Harmful substances Noise exposure Social engagement Temperature Security Right to representation Recreation Stress Have you factored these adequately into risk assessments?

13 Who is most at risk? Construction / migrant workers Agency employed workers Service sector barbers, cleaners Domestic sector -Cooks / Gardeners / Drivers /Janitors Maids (worst affected) Personal Care /Illegal workers Many others working 10 hour + days/>60hr weeks What does your own welfare risk assessment tell you?

14 Poor Housing = Poor Health

15 Poor Worker Welfare Leads to Aspects/Factors Unsafe transport Illegal accommodation Distance of travel Inadequate / unsafe housing Social isolation / Boredom Fatigue / Exhaustion Heat stress (home/van/work) Malnutrition/food poisoning Sleep deprivation Impacts/Outcomes Greater # Near Miss / Accidents /RTA Non-conformance to rules/strikes Reduced concentration/performance Heart Attacks / Sickness Business interruption from strikes Psychological damage Suicide / self harm Absenteeism Crime/Antisocial behaviour

16 Towards Worker Welfare Solutions Audience Survey/SLIDO Aware of WW legislation? Who handles WW for your organisation? Surveyed or audited WW in last 12 months? Top 3 WW issues leading to OSH failures in your org? Your plans for WW this year? % of OSH budget? Responses Yes / No / Unsure OSH Manager / WW Rep / Supervisors / Unsure Everybody / Nobody Yes / No / Unsure Heat/ Fatigue/ Stress / Food Poisoning/ Sleep / Boredom Worker Survey / Inspection /Train Reps/ Train Supervisors / Provide care packs /Work with govt / Use NGOs / Change contract terms

17 Work as welfare Paid, safe work = escape from worst health inequalities Salaries sent home improve public health GCC growth funds improvements elsewhere OSH culture / skills embedded in GCC migrant workforce to transfer to worker place of origin Work migration may become a choice GCC workers wages posted overseas positively impact on Environmental Health at their home

18 What Are You Doing on Welfare? (Reactive) Post-employment survey Investigate complaints Post accident analysis Saying Welfare Matters (Proactive) Embed welfare in contracts Consider before OSH change Worker surveys Regular medicals Investing Listen, Monitor & Inspect Training AED/First Aid Knowing Welfare Works!

19 What Else Can You Do? Put up visual aids / Welfare Safety Campaigns /posters in accommodation Share OSH info with sponsors / recruiters Appoint & Train Welfare Reps Encourage open dialogue and suggestions with workers/stakeholders Distribute care packs sleep matt, food containers, soap, rehydrates Work with Govt. Agencies, NGOs and other welfare groups Sporting, art, cookery clubs and regular/organised recreation activities Encourage/support labour camp safety groups Keep laying the bricks!

20 GCC Positive Initiatives Increase of Government Inspections in UAE/Qatar HAAD - Working in Heat / Working at Height BuildSafe UAE audit tool Ministries of Labour / QF SmartFoundation UAE Labour of Love UAE Better Connections Qatar Thank You Day H.H. SM Safety Groups Bollywood on Wheel Emirates NBD Indian Workers Resource Centre Migrant Workers Protection Society Adopt a Camp

21 What does Good look Like? From Qatar Pearl/Shell The Village model Access to healthcare and counselling Workers Rights, Benefits, Salaries Transportation Personal Development Accommodation/community Welfare Officers/Advisors Nutrition/Food Safety Organised Recreation Training and Education Leave / Job Rotation Access to family/spouses

22 Closing Thoughts See WW as a visible OSH activity/tool,with good ROI Mandate and monitor compliance in all contracts Welfare drives productivity&osh engagement- wins hearts Do more in hidden sectors/workers in supply chain + SMEs WW supports GCC legacy of achievement and dignity Celebrate the positives, and progress Consult, engage & unite stakeholders More (unannounced) enforcement

23 Thank you for listening/shokran! Any Questions? / Office 206, Building 26, Healthcare City, Dubai UAE NB: Images: Copyright to individual artists /via Google Images