Reducing workers chemical risks Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America ( )

2 Reducing workers chemical risks. Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America Our objectives. Risk reduction through Raise awareness among workers on chemical risks. General information and tools for more concrete information. Workers need to know what they are using. Raise awareness among workers on chemical risks. General information and tools for more concrete information. Workers need to know what they are using. Strengthen union capacity. Introduce the issue on OHS agendas (union level / government level) Strengthen union capacity. Introduce the issue on OHS agendas (union level / government level) Identify areas for regulation improvement at country level Identify areas for regulation improvement at country level Support national / sectoral union demands with their government. Support national / sectoral union demands with their government.

3 Reducing workers chemical risks. Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America Methodology Choosing strategic sectors by country to undertake capacity building activities Choosing strategic sectors by country to undertake capacity building activities Impulsing national dialogue with interested partners to improve regulatory frameworks Impulsing national dialogue with interested partners to improve regulatory frameworks Build a group. Union team (TOT): online training Build a group. Union team (TOT): online training Supporting national campaigns on key risks Supporting national campaigns on key risks Specific work on vulnerable workers (waste pickers) Specific work on vulnerable workers (waste pickers)

4 Reducing workers chemical risks. Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America Reality check Basic information was not available at country level. Difference between countries, but deficiencies everywhere. Basic information was not available at country level. Difference between countries, but deficiencies everywhere. Lack of expertise at government level Lack of expertise at government level At the beginning: relative lack of proactive support from union leadership At the beginning: relative lack of proactive support from union leadership Needs where huge and interest of workers was too: demand was much higher than our offer. Needs where huge and interest of workers was too: demand was much higher than our offer. For some countries is was enough to kick a sustainable process, for others it was a waterdrop in the desert. For some countries is was enough to kick a sustainable process, for others it was a waterdrop in the desert.

Reducing workers chemical risks. Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America

7 Achievements: Training guides for unionists Training guides for unionists 6 National Reports 6 National Reports 3 big chemical risk forums 3 big chemical risk forums 10 teams created / strengthen at national level 10 teams created / strengthen at national level More than unionists trained More than unionists trained Campaigns reaching more than Campaigns reaching more than Opening / widening / reactivating national dialogue bodies Opening / widening / reactivating national dialogue bodies Proposal for regulation Proposal for regulation Clauses in collective bargaining Clauses in collective bargaining Substitution experiences Substitution experiences

8 Reducing workers chemical risks. Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America Conclusions from the programs: We need much more information at national level. Countries are advancing just with the most pollutant substances (POPs, mercury) We need much more information at national level. Countries are advancing just with the most pollutant substances (POPs, mercury) Control systems are not into place: agreed prevention policies are not being implemented. Occupational accidents and diseases record only cover (incompletely) small part of the workplace. Control systems are not into place: agreed prevention policies are not being implemented. Occupational accidents and diseases record only cover (incompletely) small part of the workplace. Chemical Safety Cards are not available at workplaces: this is a priority. Chemical Safety Cards are not available at workplaces: this is a priority.

9 Reducing workers chemical risks. Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America Conclusions from the programs: Opportunity in the Joint committees for OHS. Challenges: company resistance / lack of union push. Opportunity in the Joint committees for OHS. Challenges: company resistance / lack of union push. Up to a level we can easily change things: substitution can be easy, awareness raising on databases. Up to a level we can easily change things: substitution can be easy, awareness raising on databases. Meaningful intervention in developing (least developed in LA) means a hell of resources that unions to do have. Meaningful intervention in developing (least developed in LA) means a hell of resources that unions to do have.

10 Reducing workers chemical risks. Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America Union priorities toward 2020: Key global campaigns on most pollutant substances: asbestos, highly hazardous pesticides, etc… Key global campaigns on most pollutant substances: asbestos, highly hazardous pesticides, etc… Global push for the GHS (Global Harmonized System) and the ICSC (International Chemical Safety Cards). Cards have to be available in all workplaces Global push for the GHS (Global Harmonized System) and the ICSC (International Chemical Safety Cards). Cards have to be available in all workplaces Push for ratification ILO 170 Push for ratification ILO 170

11 Reducing workers chemical risks. Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America Food for thought Better international follow up of national improvements at national level Better international follow up of national improvements at national level Better interaction between union institutes with expertise (webinars) Better interaction between union institutes with expertise (webinars) Better capitalization of OHS joint committees Better capitalization of OHS joint committees

Reducing workers chemical risks. Lessons learnt from Sustainlabour work in Latin America GRACIAS