Introduction to the who Commission on Social Determinants of Health Employment Conditions Network (Emconet) Study, with a Glossary on Employment Relations

Abstract

Although the conditions and power relations of employment are known to be crucial health determinants for workers and their families, the nature of these relations and their effects on health have yet to be fully researched. Several types of employment--precarious employment in developed countries; informal sectors, child labor, slavery, and bonded labor in developing countries--expose workers to risky working conditions. Hazardous work and occupation-related diseases kill approximately 1,500 workers, globally, every day. Growing scientific evidence suggests that particular employment conditions, such as job insecurity and precarious employment, create adverse health effects; yet the limited number of studies and the poor quality of their methods prevent our understanding, globally, the complexity of employer-employee power relations, working conditions, levels of social protections, and the reality of employment-related health inequalities. This article introduces a special section on employment-related health inequalities, derived from the EMCONET approach, which focuses on (1) describing major methods and sources of information; (2) presenting theoretical models at the micro and macro levels; (3) presenting a typology of labor markets and welfare states worldwide; (4) describing the main findings in employment policies, including four key points for implementing strategies; and (5) suggesting new research developments, a policy agenda, and recommendations. This introduction includes a glossary of terms in the emerging area of employment conditions and health inequalities.

Work-related injuries in textile industry workers in Turkey

“…Researches pointed out that this enhances rates of WRI and due mortality. [11] Many studies showed that precarious employment is also a major risk factor in non-lethal WRIs. [12][13][14] Benavides et al [15] investigated the mechanisms of WRIs in uninsured and temporary workers.…”

Untitled

“…Sus principales ventajas consistirían en reemplazar a las personas que trabajan en ambientes insalubres o peligrosos. En la industria aeroespacial, de defensa, de seguridad y nuclear, pero también en los sectores de logística, mantenimiento e inspección, los robots autónomos resultan útiles para sustituir a los trabajadores que llevan a cabo labores insalubres, tediosas o inseguras, evitando de este modo exponer a las personas a las sustancias y condiciones peligrosas, y reduciendo los riesgos físicos, ergonómicos y psicosociales 11 .…”

The Social Gradient in Health: How Fair Retirement could make a Difference

“…A recent WHO report on work and health usefully suggests a classification of four different types of occupational health risks: physical, chemical, ergonomic and psychosocial (Benach et al, 2009). This would include hazards such as unshielded machinery, noise, vibrations, radiation; air pollution (such as smoke, fumes, dust or powder), chemicals; repetitive movements, hard physical labour; and low control.…”