Presentaci

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Stakeholder Roles and Participation in Chemicals
Management and SAICM Implementation
Arturo Barrit
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Trade Unions and Workers

• There are chemicals in every workplace.
• It is killing the workers softly.
• Over 440.000 workers worldwide die each year
  because of chemicals.
• Millions of workers including women workers
  suffering occupational diseases and various
  health problems linked to chemicals.

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Trade Unions have been at the forefront of change
for over a century, striving to improve and
enhance working standards and condition on
behalf of workers.
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SAICM Implementation from our perspective

• Workers are among the most vulnerable sector due
  to the fact that many are exposed to chemicals
  both in the production level and as consumers in
  the workplaces, suffering from poisoning, cancer,
  respiratory problems and skin allergies, among
  others.
• Many undesirable substances exist at the
  workplace such as PCBs, HCB, chlorinated
  pesticides and others due to the absence of
  solutions for information, substitution of
  materials and the institutionalization techniques
  and practices that involve trade unions and
  workers.
• The struggle for safe and decent workplaces
  cannot be segregated from the fight to protect
  the environment.
• There are no barriers and the use of hazardous
  chemicals is polluting our environment.

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• Strengthening the integration of workers issues
  and to promote just transaction mechanism in the
  phasing out of these toxic and hazardous
  chemicals and other undesirable substance known
  to man.
• Involvement of Trade Unions and workers must be
  pursued within the parameters of the SAICM
  Implementation specifically in the
  decision-making processes.
• Trade Unions must have to be proactive in
  identifying the problems and being part of the
  solutions.

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Participation Opportunities in the Implementation
of the National SAICM

• Global, regional and national networks to share
  information and raise awareness
• Active participation to prevent and manage
  undesirable substances safely and sustainability
  at the work place .
• Utilization and dissemination of workers
  knowledge for cleaner production.

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• We have knowledge and expertise.

• We have learned that when take initiative much
  can be accomplished and there are benefits for
  all.

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• The shift now in the global production of
  chemicals is from developed to developing
  countries
• The chemical industry is increasingly globalize
  and new countries are becoming major producers
  for the world
• The business is highly research intensive and an
  ever increasing number of new substances are
  entering the market.
• While developed countries have difficulties in
  keeping track of and controlling unwanted effects
  of new and old substances the situation in
  developing countries are becoming increasingly
  precarious.

and Global Trade
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• The global production of chemicals mostly from
  multinational firms are equipped with well-oiled
  marketing and advertising machineries.
• A program for education and training for trade
  unions and workers representatives.
• If there are funding it should also be made
  available through the UNITAR, and other UN
  Institutions such as the UNIDO National Cleaner
  Production Centers

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What we need now is a new way of thinking that
is founded on empathy rather than selfishness,
partnership rather than isolation, sustainability
rather than expediency, and indebtedness to the
environment rather than expansionism through
production and consumption.
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Thank you