The International Labour Organization (ILO) has revealed in a new report that 7,000 health workers have since died from COVID-19, while 136 million health and social workers continue to stay at risk of contracting the virus.

With such an alarming risk, the ILO has called on countries to establish sound and resilient occupational safety and health systems. Accordingly, the systems would minimize risks in the event of future health emergencies. Since the COVID-19 emerged, workers in specific sectors, such as emergency, health and social care, have been particularly vulnerable to the risk of infection.

In an ILO report, the first step required is for countries to channel investments into occupational and health systems infrastructure. That said, such infrastructure require integration into national crisis emergency preparedness and response plans, the report indicates. Such efforts can adequately ensure workers’ safety and health as well as supporting business continuity.

The report examines risk prevention and management relating to the pandemic. It also analyses other health and safety risks associated with the changing nature of work arising from virus control measures.

Furthermore, it outlines the critical roles played during the pandemic by occupational safety and health regulatory frameworks and institutions, compliance mechanisms, health and advisory services, data, research and training.

“There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment. Recovery and prevention will require better national policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks, properly integrated into crisis response frameworks.”
ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder.

The risks that health workers face

According to the report, the pressures and risks that health workers are exposed during the pandemic have also taken a toll on their mental health: “one in five healthcare workers globally have reported depression and anxiety symptoms.”

That notwithstanding, health and care sectors as well as many other workplaces have been sources of COVID-19 outbreaks. Especially, when workers are in closed environments or spend time in close proximity with each other.

An analyses of the health concerns arising from the increase in teleworking during the pandemic, shows that teleworking has been essential in limiting the spread of the virus, maintaining jobs and business continuity and giving workers increased flexibility. But it has also blurred the lines between work and private life.

Thus, 65% of enterprises surveyed reported that worker morale has been difficult to sustain while teleworking.

More so, the report indicates that it is difficult for small and micro-sized firms to meet official OSH requirements. This is because many lack the resources to adapt to the threats the pandemic poses.

Nonetheless, in the informal economy, many of the 1.6 billion workers in that sector, especially in developing economies, have kept working despite lockdowns, restrictions on movement and social interaction, and other measures. As a result they face high risks of catching the virus. However, most do not have access to basic social protection, such as sick leave or sick pay.

To prepare better for such future events, the ILO therefore offers guidance on how these challenges can be met. These efforts help reduce the risk of virus transmission in the workplace, the report highlights.