More than 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks, such as long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment, resulting in economic losses equivalent to 1.37% of global GDP each year, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said.
“These work-related psychosocial risks are mainly associated with cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders, including suicide,” ILO said in its report ‘The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action’, released on Wednesday.
“These risks account for nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, reflecting years of healthy life lost due to illness, disability, or premature death, and are estimated to result in economic losses equivalent to 1.37% of global GDP each year,” it added.
According to the report, while many psychosocial risks are not new, major transformations in the world of work, including digitalization, artificial intelligence, remote work, and new employment arrangements, are reshaping the psychosocial working environment.
These changes may intensify existing risks or create new ones if not properly addressed. At the same time, they can offer opportunities for improved work organization and greater flexibility, highlighting the need for proactive action, it said.
“Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” Manal Azzi, team lead on occupational safety and health (OSH) policy and systems at the ILO said.
“Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organizational performance and sustainable economic development,” Azzi added.
As per the report, addressing these risks proactively will help countries and enterprises to create healthier workplaces that benefit both workers and organizations while strengthening productivity and economic resilience.
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