One of WHO's functions and which is enshrined in its Constitution (art.2.i.), is to promote the improvement of working conditions. In 2007, the World Health Assembly endorsed the WHO Global Plan of Action on Workers' Health (GPA) (2008-2017) which is a follow up of the WHO Global Strategy on Occupational Health for All endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 1996.
The main objectives of the GPA are to:
- Strengthen the governance and leadership function of national health systems to respond to the specific health needs of working populations
- Establish basic levels of health protection at all workplaces to decrease inequalities in workers health between and within countries and strengthen the promotion of health at work.
- Ensure access of all workers to preventive health services and link occupational health to primary health care.
- Improve the knowledge base for action on protecting and promoting the health of workers and establish linkages between health and work.
- Stimulate incorporation of actions on workers health into other policies, such as sustainable development, poverty reduction, trade liberalization, environmental protection and employment.
WHO has developed a Global workplan in collaboration with the WHO Network of Collaborating Centres based on the objectives of the GPA for 2009-2012. The workplan organizes the activities of the Collaborating Centres into 14 priority areas.
Related links
-
Global Plan of Action - English
pdf, 1.05Mb -
Global Plan of Action - French
pdf, 1.05Mb -
Global Plan of Action - Spanish
pdf, 1.06Mb -
Global Plan of Action - Chinese
pdf, 1.60Mb -
Global Plan of Action - Russian
pdf, 1.07Mb -
Global Plan of Action - Arabic
pdf, 474kb - Read the Global Strategy
- Read the Declaration on occupational health for all (1994)
-
Read the Stresa Declaration on Workers Health (2006)
pdf, 147kb - Elimination of asbestos-related disease