Minister of Social Affairs and Health Pirkko Mattila emphasised on ensuring safe and healthy working atmosphere for all, said a government press release.

“We have agreed on excellent goals, but they have to be turned into real practice to make a better working life for all women and men,” said Mattila at the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Singapore.

She also said that the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work is the best possible place to launch the new Coalition.

Finland supports the initiative to establish this new Coalition and is ready to participate in the process together with the ILO, the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) and other countries and organisations.

“We need safe and healthy working conditions for all. Not only for the money we can save but first and foremost because safety and health at work is a basic human right”, said Mattila.

Working conditions can be improved globally if the numerous international declarations, strategies and legislation are integrated as part of practical work. According to the International Labour Organization ILO, a new broad Coalition should be established to implement these declarations.

The establishment of a new Coalition is a central topic in the discussions at the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Singapore. In the coming months, ILO will invite the interested countries and organisations to an event to agree on tasks and responsibilities.

The objectives of the Coalition would include, for example, converting UN goals for sustainable development, G7 and G20 initiatives and EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work into practical activities and assistance.