Lecture 33: Workers, trade and the SDGs Flashcards
is work important?
- work is a vital part of a productive society
- it dominate our life
- provides income and shapes a person ability to live healthy life
- good work beneficial to health
- provides incomes, sense of identity, wellbeing and helps people structure day to day life
what are the rights to work?
- work is a human right
- favourable working conditions are deemed part of basic human rights
are there any global issues with work?
- not all work and employment is equal
- bad work is detrimental to worker health
- exclusion from work (illness, disability etc) is detrimental to health
what are the pathways that health is impacted by work?
so work has an impact on workers, recreational environment, home and lifestyle, workmates
work also impacts the internal environment through raw materials, by-products, waste
work also impacts external environment through air, water and soil
how is work a social determinant of health?
work is a determinant of health!
work has implications on working conditions (exposure to hazards etc), work related resources (health insurance/sick leave etc) and income all which impact health
what are the impacts of adverse work environments?
minor, serious, disabling and fatal injuries and illness can reduce wellbeing, working capacity, quality of life and lifespan
what are the most dangerous occupations?
- agriculture
- forestry
- fishing
what international occupational health and safety measures are there?
- international labour organisation, world health organisation and united nations
- frameworks include principles for safe and healthy working environments
- ILO provides guidance on laws, policies, employment protections and good business practice
what strategies can improve worker health and safety?
- physically remove the hazard
- replace the hazard
- isolate people from the hazard
- change the way people work
- protect the worker with PPE
(in order of most to least effective)
what is global trade?
import and export products and goods across borders
- china, USA and India are largest trading countries
why is trade important?
- more products available world wide
- reduce dependence on domestic market
- increase gender equality
- fair trade raises working conditions
- contributes to economy
- poverty reduction
what sorts of things can be traded?
- NZ trades dairy products
- other countries e.g. africa, south america trade oil
- other places minerals and materials
what are the down sides of trade?
- race to the bottom
- transfers hazardous work to trading partners
- hides unethical and dangerous work practices
- complex supply chain effects
- creates pollution
- crowds out local investment
- contribute little to nothing to the economy
what are the features of trade policy?
Health supporting:
- carve outs for health harming commodities
- uphold a states ‘right to regulate’, especially in public interest
- uphold workers rights and protections
- include worker assistance provisions
Health Hindering:
- favour foreign investors interests and allow for policy chill
- hold foreign investor interest above public interest
- fail to uphold worker rights and protections
- do not assist with worker adjustments
- do not account for environmental damage
