Workers’ voices and safety in the time of COVID-19


 
 
Ensuring workers’ health and safety are core issues that trade unions consistently fight for. With the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing and vocal clamour for a new way of working through strengthened  health and safety measures at workplaces. The global health crisis has underscored the need for trade unions, together with governments and employers, to confront COVID-19 in the world of work through social protection, policy interventions and improved OSH standards. 

BWI’s Global Sports Conference last year comprehensively discussed this. One of its sessions was devoted to workers’ health and safety amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion was divided into two (2) parts: workers’ voices from different parts of the world and innovation and best practices of cooperation in responding to COVID-19 at workplaces.  

Trade union leaders from FILCA-CISL (Italy), FGTB and ACV BIE (Belgium), FNSCBA-CGT (France), UNITE (United Kingdom), CFMMEU (Australia) and representatives from Qatar’s various workers’ welfare committees and community leaders’ forums shared their insights and experiences.