2.2 million people die due to work related illnesses annually: ILO

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) About 2.2 million people die every year due to work related accidents or illnesses, more than 270 million workers are injured and an estimated 160 million suffer work related illnesses costing the global economy an estimated four per cent GDP loss, according to the International Labour Organisation.

In a report published to mark the World Day today, ILO said the grim toll caused due to these work related accidents costs the world economy a loss equivalent to 20 times all official development aid put together.

It highlights the links between decent work and occupational safety and health. Various elements of the ILO's Decent Work Agenda included respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, its international labour standards, occupational safety and health mechanisms, labour inspections, codes of practices on occupational safety and health and the workplace and social dialogue provides the basis for a strong workplace response to prevent occupational accidents and diseases.

ILO has called for applying internationally agreed labour standards as a primary tool for reducing work related accidents and illnesses that take some 2.2 million lives each year. It urged the governments to implement good workplace safety and health practices, including reporting, inspection and standards as a means of reducing the number of accidents, injuries and illness on the job as well as increasing productivity.

''Accidents don't go with the job. Experience shows that most accidents are preventable. Sound prevention practices need to be implemented by governments, employers and workers systematically at the national and enterprise level,'' according to Dr Sameera Mazaidi Al Tuwaijri, the newly appointed Director of the ILO's 'SAFEWORK' programme.

ILO has adopted a systematic approach to safety and health at work with a Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention adopted last year. The new Convention establishes a framework within which occupational safety and health could be promoted. At the same time it could foster political commitments to develop national strategies to promote continuous improvement of occupational safety and health to prevent occupational injuries, diseases and deaths.

Moreover, it encourages to take active step towards achieving progressively a safe and healthy working environment and to periodically consider what measures could be taken to ratify relevant occupational safety and health conventions of the ILO.

UNI