INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE OF THE ILO PROGRAMME FOR WORKERS ACTIVITIES

Transcription

1 INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE OF THE ILO PROGRAMME FOR WORKERS ACTIVITIES A Trade Union Training on Trade Union Action about Occupational Health and Safety (Anglophone Caribbean course - 1 week) (Port Spain, March 2010)

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3 1. BACKGROUND OF THE PROGRAMME FOR WORKERS' ACTIVITIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE OF THE ILO The Programme for Workers' Activities of the International Training Centre of the ILO (ACTRAV - Turin) is an integral part of the Bureau for Workers' Activities based at ILO Geneva. It has the specific task of assisting trade unions in empowering their organizations and strengthening their training capacity through a programme of training conducted at the Turin Centre, in the field and through distance/online education. 2. BACKGROUND OF THE TRAINING COURSE This training course, A : Trade Union Training on Union Action on Occupational Safety and Health, and Environment, concentrates on the training needs of trade union organizations in the field of occupational Safety and Health, and Environment (OSHE), especially with regard to Trade Union Action, as a first step of a learning process. The protection of workers against work-related sickness, disease and injury has been one of the primary concerns of the ILO since its establishment in Today, as the process of globalization accelerates economic and social integration of economies in the world, new risks for occupational accidents and diseases are introduced at an unprecedented pace, particularly affecting workers in developing countries. New types and patterns of work, new technologies and methods for production, and tough pressure for competition are all considered to be the key factors increasing the number of accidents and diseases. The Trade Unionists with functions in the area of OSHE, either directly or through the Health and Safety Committees at the workplace, require specific training to perform their duties in the workplace. Considering this objective this basic training activity is being proposed, whose axes are the concepts and framework for the prevention of occupational risks for proper health and safety at work. The number of work-related injuries and diseases is on the rise despite the efforts by national and international communities. Decent Work must be Safe Work, but we are still far away from that point. Aware of this situation, the Program of Workers Activities (ACTRAV) of the ILO, conducted a series of activities in the area of occupational safety and health in order to strengthen the capacity of unions to provide the trade union movement the tools to impact on health systems of their countries and improve the protection of working conditions and health of its members and affiliates, in line with the objective of mainstreaming the strategic pillars of decent work. There has been particular reference made to social protection measures including safe and healthy working conditions, as recognized by the ILO Declaration on "Social Justice for a Fair Globalization" adopted by the 97th International Labour Conference in June 2008; while always respecting, promoting and applying the fundamental principles and rights at work.

4 This programme will expose participants to the latest theoretical and practical approaches to the issues related to Trade Union Action in the area of OHSE, and help them to develop effective trade union policy and strategy. 3. LONG TERM OBJECTIVES This course is aimed at assisting trade unions in empowering their organizations in the field of Occupational Safety and Health and Environment (OSHE), and in particular to promote and support: An existing structure or the establishment of a new structure (such as a department or appointed individual) within their national organization responsible for OSHE. Strengthening the capacity of national trade unions for the development and implementation of trade union action and strategies in the area of OSHE, and for their effective participation in the workplace, and in tripartite and bipartite discussions at the national/regional/international levels, collective bargaining and decision-making processes on the issues; Workers' education programmes in the field of trade union action about OSH; Gender mainstreaming within the organizations in their discussion and decision making related to OSHE. 4. IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES To improve the training of union representatives to carry out union duties in Occupational Health and Safety (Prevention of Occupational Risks) through: Reflection on the status of prevention management in the workplace. Reflection on the role of trade unionists in the prevention of occupational risks. Training in necessary skills for union intervention. Practical work and simulations of union intervention to solve occupational safety, health and environmental problems. Upon completion of the course, the participants will be able to: Identify the main issues and difficulties faced by trade unions in the field of OSHE and produce strategies for concrete action. Develop skills for union intervention. Practice and perform simulations of union intervention to solve occupational safety, health and environment problems in the workplace. Mainstream gender issues in the field of OSHE. Explain training materials and individual action plans (including a project proposal) for the implementation of a project at the national or local level;

5 5. COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT The course will include the following sections: a) A description of local and subregional contexts In their country reports, the participants will make a comparative analysis of the following: Description of the major problems in the area of OHSE Description of trade union training programs in the field of OHSE b) Trade Union Action about Occupational Safety, Health and the Environment b.1) Work and Health: Relation between work and health Work and environment Occupational risk prevention Environmental Prevention b.2) Trade union activities in occupational safety and health: an open offer - union intervention methodology: Defining the problem The observation Involving workers Proposed solutions Negotiate solutions Monitoring b.3) Specific risks: gender-based approach Ergonomics and musculoskeletal injuries Chemical Risks Psychosocial Risks Some tracks around the action strategy c) ILO International Labour Standards: C.155, 187 (and 161) the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up: especially Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining. d) The role of the trade unions in the promotion of the OSHE (The Caribbean Experience): Policies, strategies and activities of the trade unions to influence OSHE at the national and sectoral level (tripartite OSH National commissions; collective bargaining, regulations, etc.) and at enterprise levels (OSH committees, OSH representatives) will be discussed. e) Action Plans Focus will be put on specific models and strategies that trade unions in the region can or should apply to improve OSHE capacity and structures in their respective

6 organizations. Participants will discuss policies and training programs in OSHE in the context of their own needs and requirements. 6. PARTICIPANTS AND PRE-REQUIREMENTS a) Participants must be either (26 maximun): Members of national executive committees (or equivalent) of national or industrial level union who are responsible for making trade union policy and developing strategy on OSHE issues; Unionists with OSHE functions in the workplace, whether as a safety representative or a member of Joint Safety Committees Elected Officers or national staff members who are responsible for organizing and implementing training /educational programmes in the field of OSHE. Please note that a preference will be given to applicants 45 years of age or below. Moreover, special emphasis will be placed on the selection of women who may have or will be assigned the subject area as part of their responsibilities. The participants' job profile within their organizations must be such as to allow them to fully participate in the delivery of this training program, as well as to immediately apply the experience, knowledge and skills acquired in their day-to-day work after completion of this training programme. Therefore it is important that organizations, while nominating the candidates, ensure that the selected nominees have the qualifications and aptitude to transfer their knowledge and experiences for the benefit of the whole union. The leadership should also ensure that the newly acquired skills and knowledge of their participants be fully utilized in day-to-day programmes and activities of the union. b) Country Report Each participant will be required to prepare beforehand and bring with them a country report. The report, preferably typed on A4 sheets and no longer than five pages, should include: Description of the OSHE situation in the country, with data on numbers of occupational accidents, injury and disease; Description of trade union policy, strategy, programmes and activities on OSHE and, with a particular focus on their involvement in and contribution to national tripartite forums on the subject. The report should be sent by or fax to both Turin and the ILO Subregional Office for the Caribbean. The contact details are provided below: Actrav_turin@itcilo.org or by fax ( ) and robinson@ilocarib.org.tt or

7 8. METHODOLOGY The learning methods used in the course will acknowledge the participants' level of competence and experience, taking into account that they already have practical experience in the field of OSHE. An active learning methodology will be applied throughout the course to encourage full participation in all aspects of the training. 10. LANGUAGE The course will be conducted in English. Participants are expected to participate fully in all discussions and other activities and so they must be fluent in English. 11. DURATION AND STARTING DATE The course duration is one week and is scheduled from 22 to 26 March 2010