Empowering Workers in a Changing Climate: A Call to Action for Occupational Safety and Health in Europe

My Commitment to Human Rights, Climate, and Health in the Year Ahead

As we approach the close of this year and eagerly step into the challenges and opportunities that the coming year holds, one of my most profound and significant endeavors revolves around the intersection of human rights, climate issues, and health. Every day, individuals fall ill or lose their lives due to their work, particularly in sectors such as construction, tourism, and agriculture. These are often the low-wage workers who labor tirelessly to provide us with homes, leisure, and food. And it's not a problem occurring far away; it's also happening within the European Union, impacting our food supply chain and the construction of houses.

It's disheartening to witness the toll on the health of workers, especially considering the inherent connection between their well-being and the climate. This is a stark reality that cannot be ignored. However, there is hope in the form of work protocols developed by La Isla Network , a non-governmental research organization committed to improving occupational safety and health and even enhancing productivity.

Improve the health and safety of workers while simultaneously increasing production.

These protocols, designed to safeguard the health of workers, protecting them against heat-stress, are available. Yet, the challenge lies in amplifying awareness and, crucially, implementing these protocols on a widespread scale. In the coming year, I am wholeheartedly committing myself once again to championing this cause in collaboration with the amazing people in the network of LIN, like Jason Glaser Scott Montegna, Robert T. Thomma, MBA Andreas Flouris and many many others.

It is a cause that transcends borders and industries, touching the lives of those who are often overlooked. These individuals, driven by economic necessity, engage in labor that sustains our lifestyles. It is our responsibility to recognize their contributions and, more importantly, to ensure that the work they do does not come at the cost of their health and well-being.

Less harm, increase productivity, positive return on investment

In the year ahead, my dedication to this remarkable organization and cause will continue unabated. I will work tirelessly to bring attention to the work protocols, encouraging their adoption and implementation across diverse sectors. The objective is clear: to improve the health and safety of workers while simultaneously increasing production.

I invite you all to join me in this endeavor. Let us collectively strive for a world where every worker is valued, where their health is safeguarded, and where the fruits of their labor contribute not only to our comfort but also to their own prosperity.

Here's to a year of meaningful change, where our collective efforts pave the way for a brighter, healthier, and more just future.