Approximately 541 million young workers (15-24 years old) - which includes 37 million children in hazardous child labour - account for more than 15% of the world's labour force and suffer up to a 40% higher rate of non-fatal occupational injuries than adult workers older than 25. Many factors can increase youth vulnerability to OSH risks, such as their physical and psychological stage of development, lack of work experience and lack of training, limited awareness of work-related hazards and a lack of bargaining power that can lead young workers to accept dangerous tasks or jobs with poor working conditions.
Recognizing the need in addressing these challenges and improving safety and health for young workers, not only to promote decent youth employment, but also to link these efforts to combat hazardous and all other forms of child labour, PAHO and partners are hosting two virtual webinars aiming to create awareness about this problem, and to provide support and empower workers individually and collectively.
Webinars
Tuesday, July 31st, 2018, 10:00-12:00 EST
- Review the impact of youth unemployment, and the actions that Member States are carrying out to control, prevent and address these problems in their countries
Thursday, June 14th, 2018, 10:00-12:00 EST
- Review the impact of child work, and the actions that Member States are carrying out to control, prevent and address these problems in their countries.
About World Day for Safety and Health at Work
The International Labor Office (ILO) declared April 28 World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Each year this date is observed in commemoration of the workers who suffered injuries, diseases or fatalities; and to celebrate those that were effectively prevented. At the same time, it aims to promoting prevention of occupational injuries and diseases. Since 2003 this celebration has taken place involving all stakeholders at global, regional and national levels with a multipartite approach and by means of social dialogue. In some countries, it has been extended to be a whole week celebration.
This year, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work (SafeDay) and the World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) are coming together in a joint campaign to improve the safety and health of young workers and end child labour. The Pan American Health Organization PAHO joins once again in 2018, to celebrate this date by joining efforts with the ILO. Together with the Organization of American States / OAS, we will explore the problems and solutions for addressing the main topic of this celebration for the Region: Generation Safe and Healthy.
