Towards the Promotion and Maintenance of the Highest Degree of Physical, Mental and Social Well-being of Workers in All Occupations: Rethinking Global Occupational Health Governance
Keywords:
Occupational health, Global governance, Worker well-being, International labour standards, Occupational safety managementAbstract
The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations remains a foundational principle of occupational health, as articulated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1950 and reaffirmed in 1995. Despite the existence of multiple conventions, recommendations, and national legislative frameworks, global disparities in occupational health and safety (OHS) standards persist. This article examines the conceptual, legal, and governance dimensions of occupational health and argues that fragmented national systems are insufficient to achieve universal worker well-being. Drawing on international instruments, comparative legislative analysis, and empirical insights from occupational health practitioners in South Africa, the paper explores the structural limitations of current OHS governance models. It contends that the absence of a unified International Occupational Health and Safety Management Governing Body contributes to uneven implementation, inconsistent standards, and inadequate multidisciplinary integration. The article proposes a global governance framework grounded in prevention, equity, accountability, and harmonized standards. By positioning worker well-being as both a human right and a development imperative, the study contributes to contemporary debates on global labour governance and calls for institutional innovation to safeguard the health, dignity, and productivity of workers across all disciplines.
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