What is the vision for safer workplaces in the leather and tannery industry? Best practices from around the world were discussed at a workshop in Turin on 27 and 28 January.
IndustriAll Europe showcased its ongoing work on health and safety. Participants discussed the role of social dialogue as a means to improve working conditions and productivity in the industry.
One of the highlights was a group work session in which participants shared experiences and identified good practices adopted by the sector. The discussion made clear that through strong social dialogue and strong collective bargaining agreements, OSH standards and accident prevention were greatly improved. Participants brainstormed ways to promote the scale-up of these practices and discussed their visions for safer tannery workplaces.
Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL Global Union’s director for the textile, garment, shoes and leather sector, emphasised that “social dialogue in the leather and tanning industry is key to ensure safe working conditions for workers in the sector. In countries with strong social dialogue and sectoral bargaining, it is clear that OSH standards are in compliance with the ILO conventions. It is essential to continue to develop global social dialogue with our social partners.”
The international social partners committed to continue collaboration and implementation of best practices.
Judith Kirton-Darling, industriAll Europe’s General Secretary, emphasised the importance of worker safety and social dialogue, saying: “Every worker should be safe in their workplace and social dialogue is an important tool to deal with health and safety issues. IndustriAll Europe continues to work on health and safety issues at European level with its social partners Cotance and EU policymakers. This week’s workshop in Turin with our sister organisation IndustriALL Global Union and international social partners was a step in the right direction.“
“We stand in solidarity with workers across the world and call on all stakeholders to work together to ensure decent jobs in the supply chain, including tanning and leather. Workers’ safety should be everyone’s number one concern.”
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