In 2003, the International Labour Organization (ILO) began observing this World Day to emphasize the prevention of workplace accidents and diseases, capitalizing on the ILO’s traditional strength in national and tripartite dialogue. This celebration is an integral part of the ILO’s Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health, as documented in the Conclusions of the International Labour Conference in June 2003. A primary pillar of this strategy is promotion; the World Day is a key instrument for raising awareness on how to make work safer and healthier, and for focusing on the need to elevate the political profile of occupational safety and health (OSH).
April 28 is also the International Workers’ Memorial Day, organized by the global trade union movement since 1996 to commemorate workers who have been killed or injured on the job.
Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases World Day for Safety and Health at Work promotes the global prevention of accidents and occupational diseases. It is an awareness campaign designed to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and how promoting a culture of safety and health can help reduce work-related deaths and injuries. We are all responsible for preventing workplace fatalities and injuries.
- Governments are responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure (laws and services) to ensure workers remain employable (arbeidsgeschikt) and businesses can flourish. This includes developing national policies, programs, and inspection systems to enforce legislation.
- Employers are responsible for ensuring that the workplace is safe and healthy.
- Workers are responsible for working safely, protecting themselves and others, knowing their rights, and participating in the implementation of preventive measures.
Emerging Risks at Work New and emerging occupational risks can be caused by technical innovation or social and organizational changes, such as:
- New technologies or production processes (e.g., Artificial Intelligence).
- New working conditions (e.g., higher workloads, intensification of work due to downsizing, poor conditions resulting from migration, or employment in the informal economy).
- Emerging forms of employment (e.g., self-employment, subcontracting, or temporary contracts).
2026 THEME: Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Environment at Work The psychosocial environment is defined by how work is designed, organized, and managed, as well as the organizational practices that shape daily labor conditions. Psychosocial factors—such as workload, working hours, role clarity, autonomy, and transparent processes—significantly influence the work experience and affect safety, health, and performance. When these factors negatively impact workers, they become risks—much like physical or chemical hazards—and must be managed to ensure a healthy environment.
THE LABOR SITUATION IN ARUBA The labor situation in Aruba is characterized by several negative factors. Firstly, many ILO conventions and protocols have not been ratified. Among those that are ratified, enforcement is often lacking, particularly regarding Labor Inspection (Arbeidsinspectie). Furthermore, union representation—a right anchored in UN human rights treaties—has been systematically violated by some employers since 1986, particularly in the tourism sector.
This is a consequence of an economic phenomenon known as monopsony. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) highlights that monopsony occurs when there are many job seekers but few employers, typically concentrated in one sector like tourism. This allows employers to offer sub-standard wages and block union negotiations. A 2023 IDB study determined that worker wages are, on average, 46% less than the income generated by each position for the employer. This combination of lack of ILO enforcement and monopsony leads to stress, poor psychosocial environments, and can contribute to domestic problems, addiction, and mental health issues. These issues, highlighted by Member of Parliament Carlos Bermudez (AVP), must be addressed to achieve a healthy psychosocial environment with fair wages and dignity for all workers