As part of an EU-funded project, coordinated by the ILO, trade unions from around the world with members in the leather and tanning sector met for a workshop focusing on occupational safety and health (OSH) and the importance of social dialogue.
Participants shared experiences and identified good practices adopted by the sector. The discussion made clear that through strong social dialogue and strong collective bargaining agreements, OSH standards and accident prevention have been greatly improved. Participants brainstormed ways to promote the scale-up of these practices and discussed visions for safer tannery workplaces.
Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL Global Union’s director for the textile, garment, shoes and leather sector, emphasised that “social dialogue in the leather and tanning industry is key to ensure safe working conditions for workers in the sector. In countries with strong social dialogue and sectoral bargaining, it is clear that OSH standards are in compliance with the ILO conventions. It is essential to continue to develop global social dialogue with our social partners.”
IndustriAll Europe showcased its ongoing work on health and safety. The OSH risks from climate change and the green transition are receiving increasing attention. One example highlighted was that working in extreme heat is also a problem for indoor workers in poorly insulated and ventilated workplaces. It can lead to acute and long-term health consequences, such as heatstroke, cramps, rashes, kidney and liver damage, chronic heat exhaustion or poor sleep, if not managed and reduced.
The green transition requires companies to switch to new technologies and materials. Thorough risk assessments are needed to determine potential exposure to hazardous chemicals or biological hazards, the risks of explosion, and the safe handling of new machinery.
The gender perspective was also underlined. IndustriAll Europe is committed to applying a gender perspective to all our work on occupational safety and health. We also want to raise awareness of the menopause as a workplace topic. This long-term, fluctuating health change (typically between the ages of 45 and 55) can involve dips in job performance. Typical symptoms may include hot flushes, night sweats, dry mouth and eyes, urinary issues, low mood and anxiety, and problems with concentration. These must not be made worse by the workplace or workplace practices. It is important to adjust working conditions, e.g. to adapt work clothes, install fans, or adjust working hours, and to prevent any discrimination on these health grounds.
The international social partners committed to continue their collaboration and implementation of best practices.
Judith Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe’s General Secretary, underscores the importance of worker safety and social dialogue, saying: "Every worker should be safe in their workplace, and social dialogue is an important tool to deal with health and safety issues. IndustriAll Europe continues to work on health and safety issues at European level with its social partner COTANCE and EU policymakers. The workshop in Turin with our sister organisation IndustriALL Global Union and international social partners was a step in the right direction.
“We stand in solidarity with workers across the world and call on all stakeholders to work together to ensure decent jobs in the supply chain, including tanning and leather. Workers’ safety should be everyone’s number one concern."
TCLF
Threading the future of the Textile sector: skills development for a Just Transition
Participants shared experiences and identified good practices adopted by the sector. The discussion made clear that through strong social dialogue and strong collective bargaining agreements, OSH standards and accident prevention have been greatly improved. Participants brainstormed ways to promote the scale-up of these practices and discussed visions for safer tannery workplaces.
Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL Global Union’s director for the textile, garment, shoes and leather sector, emphasised that “social dialogue in the leather and tanning industry is key to ensure safe working conditions for workers in the sector. In countries with strong social dialogue and sectoral bargaining, it is clear that OSH standards are in compliance with the ILO conventions. It is essential to continue to develop global social dialogue with our social partners.”
IndustriAll Europe showcased its ongoing work on health and safety. The OSH risks from climate change and the green transition are receiving increasing attention. One example highlighted was that working in extreme heat is also a problem for indoor workers in poorly insulated and ventilated workplaces. It can lead to acute and long-term health consequences, such as heatstroke, cramps, rashes, kidney and liver damage, chronic heat exhaustion or poor sleep, if not managed and reduced.
The green transition requires companies to switch to new technologies and materials. Thorough risk assessments are needed to determine potential exposure to hazardous chemicals or biological hazards, the risks of explosion, and the safe handling of new machinery.
The gender perspective was also underlined. IndustriAll Europe is committed to applying a gender perspective to all our work on occupational safety and health. We also want to raise awareness of the menopause as a workplace topic. This long-term, fluctuating health change (typically between the ages of 45 and 55) can involve dips in job performance. Typical symptoms may include hot flushes, night sweats, dry mouth and eyes, urinary issues, low mood and anxiety, and problems with concentration. These must not be made worse by the workplace or workplace practices. It is important to adjust working conditions, e.g. to adapt work clothes, install fans, or adjust working hours, and to prevent any discrimination on these health grounds.
The international social partners committed to continue their collaboration and implementation of best practices.
Judith Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe’s General Secretary, underscores the importance of worker safety and social dialogue, saying: "Every worker should be safe in their workplace, and social dialogue is an important tool to deal with health and safety issues. IndustriAll Europe continues to work on health and safety issues at European level with its social partner COTANCE and EU policymakers. The workshop in Turin with our sister organisation IndustriALL Global Union and international social partners was a step in the right direction.
“We stand in solidarity with workers across the world and call on all stakeholders to work together to ensure decent jobs in the supply chain, including tanning and leather. Workers’ safety should be everyone’s number one concern."
TCLF
Threading the future of the Textile sector: skills development for a Just Transition