Workplace wellness programmes

• Author: International Labour Organization
• Pages: 167-170

Meetings-MESHA-Final Code-2010-10-0355-1-En.doc/v2 167

19. Workplace wellness programmes

Basic social protection should be available to all workers. In addition, the workplace

can be an important source of information for workers of both genders on wellness, and

how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, through a proper diet, personal hygiene, rest and

recreation. Employers should consider establishing an enterprise wellness programme as

well as establishing clear policies with regard to alcohol- and drug-related problems,

HIV/aids, workplace violence, harassment and bullying, and smoking.

19.1. Social protection

19.1.1. In accordance with national laws and regulations agricultural workers

should:

(a) be covered by an employment contract;

(b) be entitled to adequate workers’ compensation in the event of an occupational injury

or disease and be entitled to survivors’ and dependants’ benefits;

(c) have access to appropriate services for rehabilitation and return to work; and

(d) benefit from social security coverage.

19.1.2. In countries where not all agricultural workers currently benefit from such

protection, the competent authority should work with employers and workers’

organizations to devise innovative approaches to ensuring coverage, paying particular

attention to the needs of temporary, casual and migrant workers.

19.2. Working hours

19.2.1. The pace of agricultural work has increased with the use of task rates and

piecework. Long hours of work, particularly intense manual labour, contribute to workers’

fatigue and lead to accidents on the job.

19.2.2. Daily and weekly working hours should be arranged so as to provide

adequate periods of rest which, as prescribed by national laws and regulations, or approved

by labour inspectorates or collective agreements, where applicable, should include:

(a) short breaks during working hours, especially when the work is strenuous, dangerous

or monotonous, to enable workers to recover their vigilance and physical fitness;

(b) sufficient breaks for meals;

(c) daily or nightly rest of not less than eight hours within a 24-hour period; and

(d) weekly rest of at least a full calendar day.

19.2.3. Extended workdays (over eight hours) should be contemplated only if:

(a) the nature of the work and the workload allow work to be carried out without

increased risk to safety and health;

(b) the shift system is designed to minimize the accumulation of fatigue.