Doha, April 27 (QNA) - The State of Qatar and the rest of the world celebrate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which falls annually on April 28, as part of the efforts made by the State to care for and protect workers, reinforce the concepts of occupational safety and health in workplaces, and encourage private sector establishments and governmental and semi-governmental bodies to place the safety of employees and workers at the top of their priorities.

The State and its various institutions and agencies emphasize on all occasions the need for workers exposed to workplace hazards to receive comprehensive and integrated care, in accordance with human rights standards stipulated in all international agreements and conventions.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Labor, in cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), organized a virtual event on Sunday, as part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to protect workers, consolidate a culture of occupational safety and health, and promote safe and sustainable work environments that support the mental health and well-being of workers.

This year, the ministry’s event highlighted mental health in the workplace as one of the essential pillars for increasing productivity and institutional sustainability, in light of the rapid changes in the labor market and the challenges it imposes, which require the adoption of effective and integrated practices that enhance the well-being of workers and support their psychological and professional balance.

On April 16, the Ministry, represented by the Occupational Safety and Health Department, in cooperation with the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, Doha Trading and Contracting Group, and Group Security System Certis International, organized awareness seminars targeting workers and employer representatives, with the participation of the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry of Public Health, and the Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund, to raise the level of preventive awareness among workers and employers and promote a culture of safety and awareness of workplace hazards regarding biological hazards in the workplace.

The ministry affirmed that promoting preventive awareness is not only an option but a necessity, because it protects lives, reduces losses, and increases work efficiency, adding that investing in awareness and continuous training is a direct investment in human safety and the success of companies and workplaces.

The annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work promotes the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness campaign intended to focus international attention on the scale of the problem to promote and create a culture of health and safety that can help reduce the number of workplace-related deaths and injuries.

The psychological and social work environment is determined by the work design, organization, management, and organizational practices that shape daily working conditions, indicating psychosocial factors, such as workload, working hours, role clarity, autonomy, support, and fair and transparent procedures, significantly impact the work experience and are reflected in employee safety, health, and performance. When psychological and social factors harm employees, they become hazards that must be addressed and managed, just like physical, chemical, and biological hazards, to ensure safe and healthy work environments.

The International Labour Organization has commemorated World Day for Safety and Health at Work since 2003, emphasizing the prevention of workplace accidents and diseases through its longstanding tripartite approach, which brings together governments, workers’ organizations, and employers’ organizations, as well as social dialogue.

The ILO marks this occasion by publishing a global report focused on prevention, examining psychosocial factors across three levels: the job itself, how work is managed and organized, and the broader policies, practices, and procedures that govern work.

According to the ILO report issued on April 22, more than 840,000 people die each year due to health conditions linked to psychosocial risks such as long working hours and job insecurity. These work-related risks are primarily associated with cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders, including suicide.

The report also shows that these risks account for the loss of nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years annually, reflecting healthy years of life lost due to illness, disability, or premature death. They are also estimated to result in economic losses equivalent to 1.37 percent of GDP each year.

The report, titled “The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action," highlights the growing impact of how work is designed, organized, and managed on workers’ safety and health. It warns that psychosocial risk factors, including long working hours, job insecurity, high demands coupled with low control, and workplace bullying and harassment, can create harmful work environments if not properly addressed.

It further notes that while many psychosocial risks are not new, major shifts in the workplace, such as digitalization, AI, remote work, and new employment patterns, are reshaping the psychosocial work environment. These changes may exacerbate existing risks or create new ones if not managed appropriately. At the same time, these challenges offering opportunities to improve work organization and increase flexibility, underscoring the need for proactive measures.

Team Lead of the ILO's Occupational Safety and Health Policy and Systems, Manal Azzi, said that psychosocial risks are among the most prominent challenges facing occupational safety and health of the modern worker. She stressed that improving the psychosocial work environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health but also for enhancing productivity, institutional performance, and sustainable economic development. The report echoed this by concluding that by proactively addressing these risks, countries and organizations can create healthier workplaces that benefit both workers and employers, while boosting productivity and economic resilience. (QNA)