Latest news with #InternationalLaborOrganization
Roya News
12 hours ago
- General
- Roya News
Palestine's status upgraded to 'Observer State' at International Labor Org.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) has unanimously approved upgrading Palestine's status from a "national liberation movement" to a "non-member observer state," marking a significant milestone in Palestine's international recognition. The decision was reached during the General Affairs Committee of the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva. The final resolution is expected to be formally adopted in plenary on Thursday. This move aligns the ILO's position with that of other UN agencies such as UNESCO and the World Health Organization, following the UN General Assembly's Resolution ES-10/23 in May 2024. Expanded Rights for Palestine With the upgrade, Palestine will now enjoy expanded rights within the ILO, including: Delivering statements under all agenda items. Submitting proposals. Participating in all meetings with tripartite delegations Nominating delegates to the Conference Bureau starting in 2026. Ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi welcomed the decision, calling it a "firm and unambiguous response to the 'Israeli' Knesset's rejection of a Palestinian state." He added, "Some continue to reject fairness and persist in applying double standards, undermining the very principles of international legitimacy and justice." International support, opposition The resolution was strongly supported by the Arab Group, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and countries including France, China, Spain, and Switzerland. Both the Employers' and Workers' Groups backed the resolution, emphasizing its humanitarian necessity and alignment with the ILO's values. Hungary was the only country opposing the resolution. Khraishi expressed surprise at Hungary's stance, noting that it had recognized the State of Palestine as far back as 1988. Significance of the Decision Khraishi emphasized that "this step is not merely symbolic," but "an integral part of the Palestinian people's legitimate national and political struggle for justice, sovereignty, and self-determination."
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Japan firms to face fines if they fail to protect workers from heat waves
By Shoko Oda, Yui Hasebe and Aaron Clark Tougher rules being enforced in Japan will see employers fined if they fail to take adequate precautions to protect workers from extreme temperatures. The revised legislation, which came into effect June 1, is a rare global example of a national-level policy on heat safety for employees, and comes after 30 workplace deaths and roughly 1,200 injuries last year associated with high temperatures, according to health ministry data. Most of those affected worked in construction or manufacturing. Japan's government moved to strengthen protections following last summer's searing heat — which included the highest July temperatures on record, the ministry said in a statement. Businesses will face potential penalties including fines of 500,000 yen ($3,475) if provisions aren't sufficient. Heatstroke is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by dangerously high body temperature that can result in severe organ damage if not treated quickly. There were almost half a million heat-related deaths annually between 2000 and 2019, according to a report last year by the World Health Organization. Along with public health impacts, higher temperatures can impact worker productivity and there's growing concern about the economic toll that heat waves have on economies. Global average temperatures exceeded 1.5C degrees above pre-industrial levels for the first time in 2024 and new highs are forecast to be recorded over the next five years, according the World Meteorological Organization. Japan's legislation requires employers to implement protocols to quickly spot and aid workers showing symptoms of heatstroke. Policies encourage companies to use a buddy system at work sites, distribute wearable devices to monitor staff, and provide emergency transportation to hospitals or clinics. Employers are urged to monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index, a gauge of heat stress in direct sunlight that takes into account factors like temperature and humidity. Specific measures are required for work sites where the index value exceeds 28C or an atmospheric temperature of 31C for more than one hour, or for a total of four hours or more in a single day. A worker performing moderate work intensity loses half of their work capacity at 33C to 34C (91F-93F), according to a 2019 study from the International Labor Organization. The same report estimated the economic impact of heat stress by 2030 at $2.4 trillion if greenhouse gas emissions aren't cut. 'We are working on measures such as taking breaks according to the heat index and measuring internal body temperature using wearable devices,' said a spokesperson for Shimizu Corp., one of the nation's largest general contractors, which employs more than 20,000 people. The company said it is constantly updating its heatstroke policies. Parcel delivery service Yamato Transport Co. plans to distribute 75,000 fan-equipped vests to workers, including those who use carts and bicycles to drop off packages. It's also installing 3,000 wet bulb index measuring devices at business locations to better track working conditions. The measures are not in response to the new law, the company said. California and Washington are among US states to have developed similar rules on worker protections, and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed setting a federal standard. There were an average 40 recorded fatalities a year in the US related to environmental heat between 2011 and 2020, according to the Department of Labor.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The trade war will cost 7 million jobs in 2025, according to a U.N. report. Here's the breakdown
The International Labor Organization (ILO), an agency of the United Nations, has downgraded its global employment forecast for 2025, saying 'the global economy is growing at a slower pace than we had anticipated.' Spicy AI-generated TACO memes are taking over social media because 'Trump always chickens out' Lego's first book nook is an addictively interactive diorama Forget quiet quitting: I'm using 'loud living' to redefine workplace boundaries In its latest edition of its World Employment and Social Outlook Trends report, the ILO forecast that 7 million fewer jobs would be created in 2025 globally, for a total of 53 million jobs, down from 60 million—based on economic growth projections from the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) April 2025 World Economic Outlook. The numbers translate into slower overall employment growth across the globe in 2025, down to 1.5% from 1.7%; and lower expected GDP growth of 2.8%, down from previous forecasts of 3.2%. 'Our report now tells us that if geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions continue, and if we do not address fundamental questions that are reshaping the world of work, then they will most certainly have negative ripple effects on labor markets worldwide,' ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said in a statement. The report found the United States was a driving factor in worldwide employment growth, with 84 million jobs across 71 countries 'directly or indirectly tied to U.S. consumer demand, now increasingly at risk of disruption due to elevated trade tensions.' Of those 84 million jobs, 56 million are located in the Asia-Pacific region. However, Canada and Mexico have the highest share of jobs (17.1%) that are exposed to trade disruption. The report does make some recommendations: Houngbo said countries and employers can make a difference 'by strengthening social protection, investing in skills development, promoting social dialogue, and building inclusive labor markets to ensure that technological change benefits all.' This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter:
Arab Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Long work hours reshape the brain: A hidden health risk
NEW YORK, May 14: Long working hours may cause structural changes in the brain, particularly in areas associated with emotional regulation and executive function, including working memory and problem-solving, according to preliminary research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine. The findings suggest that overwork could lead to neuroadaptive changes that may impact both cognitive and emotional health. The study highlights the well-established link between long working hours and heightened risks of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and mental health issues. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that overwork results in more than 800,000 deaths annually. While the behavioral and psychological consequences of overwork are fairly well understood, the underlying neurological mechanisms and anatomical changes have not been fully explored, the researchers note. To investigate further, the researchers used structural brain volume analysis to examine the impact of long working hours on specific brain regions in healthcare workers who routinely work more than 52 hours a week. Data from the Gachon Regional Occupational Cohort Study (GROCS) and MRI scans from a project on the effects of working conditions on brain structure were used for this analysis. Participants in GROCS were asked to undergo an additional MRI scan, and after excluding those with missing data or poor-quality scans, the final analysis included 110 participants. Among these, 32 worked excessive weekly hours (28%) while 78 worked standard hours. Notably, those working longer hours were significantly younger, had less work experience, and were more highly educated than those working standard hours. The researchers used voxel-based morphometry (VBM), a neuroimaging technique that identifies regional differences in gray matter, and atlas-based analysis, which compares brain scan structures to pre-defined references. The comparative analysis revealed significant changes in the brain regions of those working 52 or more hours a week, particularly those related to executive function and emotional regulation. For instance, the atlas-based analysis showed a 19% increase in the volume of the middle frontal gyrus in individuals working long hours compared to those working standard hours. This area of the brain is crucial for cognitive functions such as attention, working memory, and language processing. VBM revealed peak increases in 17 regions, including the middle frontal gyrus, the superior frontal gyrus (involved in attention, planning, and decision-making), and the insula (key in emotional processing, self-awareness, and understanding social context). While this study is small and observational, and no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, the researchers emphasize that it represents an important first step in understanding the link between overwork and brain health. The study also suggests that the observed changes in brain volume may reflect neuroadaptive responses to chronic occupational stress, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. The researchers note, "These changes in brain volume could provide a biological basis for the cognitive and emotional challenges often experienced by overworked individuals. Future longitudinal studies with multiple imaging methods are needed to confirm these findings and further explore the underlying mechanisms." The study's conclusions underscore the need for addressing overwork as a significant occupational health issue and call for workplace policies to reduce excessive working hours.
Saba Yemen
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
HR Center: Unemployment rates in Gaza exceeded 80% during War
Gaza - Saba: The Palestinian Center for Human Rights revealed on Thursday that Gaza workers have suffered for many years from the Israeli blockade, restrictions, and denial of their most basic rights. The center said in a press statement: "Before the war of extermination, data from the Central Bureau of Statistics showed that the unemployment rate in Gaza reached 45.1%, compared to 12.9% in the West Bank." It added: "It was noted that unemployment was spreading at an alarming rate among university degree holders and diploma holders." The center continued: "At that time, the unemployment rate among graduates aged 19–29 in Gaza reached 73%." He added, "Reports from the International Labor Organization and the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) during the months of the war indicate that unemployment rates in Gaza rose to more than 80% by the end of 2024." The center stated, "Four out of five individuals of working age were left without a source of income," explaining that "the overall unemployment rate in the West Bank after the war reached approximately 35%." It added, "The war destroyed approximately 90% of the housing, infrastructure, and industrial, commercial, agricultural, and service facilities in the Gaza Strip." The center noted that the enemy prevented workers from accessing agricultural lands and fishing at sea. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
