The workforce in the Americas represents nearly 50% (460 million) of the region's total population, being its main source of production and development. Latin America and the Caribbean contribute 60% of the workforce and are present in all economic sectors. However, to ensure maximum performance and productivity, safe, healthy, and satisfying working conditions are needed, as well as fair and equitable employment conditions. Only then can decent work be achieved, contributing to individual, sectoral, and regional development and productivity. On the other hand, unsafe, unsatisfactory, or dangerous working conditions can cause accidents, illnesses, and deaths at work. In this way, work and employment are recognized as key social determinants of health.
PAHO is committed to promoting workers' health equity in the Region of the Americas by providing technical assistance through several preventative approaches to strengthen regulatory frameworks and the leadership of the health sector among Member States; promote workers' health and the development of safe, productive and healthy workplaces; prevent and register diseases, injuries and deaths at work; achieve access to universal health; and support critical economic sectors resulting from the impact they have on workers' health. PAHO collaborates with a broad range of work and health stakeholders to implement the Plan of Action on Workers' Health 2015-2025, with an approach on Health in All Policies and responds to national, regional and global priorities for workers' health, as well as to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1, SDG 3, and SDG 8.
