Watchdog calls for urgent global action on ‘silent crisis’

“The time for fragmented efforts is over. Only through a strong, well-resourced, and accountable global approach can we protect workers’ rights, uphold human dignity, and build a future where no one is left behind.”

Wilkinson made the remarks as nearly three million workers die every year due to work-related accidents and diseases, according to estimates from the International Labour Organization in 2023.

Among these fatalities, 2.6 million stem from work-related diseases, such as circulatory diseases, malignant neoplasms, and respiratory diseases, while an additional 330,000 deaths are caused by work accidents.

“Every day, millions of workers around the world face a silent crisis — one that unfolds not in headlines, but in hospitals, homes, and workplaces,” Wilkinson said. “From exposure to harmful chemicals and dangerous machinery, to the toll of stress, poor ergonomics, and long hours — our workers are navigating a minefield of risks.”

Despite these estimates, many systems that are meant to ensure safety at work remain largely underdeveloped, underfunded, or unenforced, according to the IOSH official.