Brazilian union actions for workers' health protection

Abstract

The recent changes in health and safety at work regulations, recognition of professional diseases, creation of workers' health services and programs within the unified health system, and operational improvements in companies' specialized safety and occupational medicine services, all basically result from union action. There is commonality of union action in this field in its seeking of technical and political strengthening for all workers and their general and local representation. This has the objective of benefiting collective bargaining between employers and workers. Inter-institutional action on behalf of workers' rights guarantees and amplifies the improvement of health and working conditions.

Global Occupational Health: Current Challenges and the Need for Urgent Action

“…This means that when, for example, policy reform of health systems is undertaken, inclusion of workplace health and safety should be integral to such measures, such as occurred in Brazil under the National Health System programs. 33 Strong legal systems supported by uncorrupted governments, willing to adopt full rights for women, children, and workers, and provide social insurance such as workers' compensation are needed for the success of an OHS program. Academic OHS professionals can advance knowledge and disseminate training, but for capacity development efforts to be truly sustainable, they must be linked to wider interventions aimed at achieving more equitable legal and economic systems that promote the social determinants of OHS.…”