2020/04/10 by Joseph LaDou · 1 citation
Business, Management and Accounting · Health Professions · Social Sciences · #Corporate Law and Human Rights #Development economics #Economic growth #Economics #Employment and Welfare Studies #Globalism #International Labor and Employment Law #Law #Neoliberalism (international relations) #Plea #Political economy #Political science #Politics
paper · doi:10.1177/0020731420917912
openalex publication_date 2020/04/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
Occupational health and safety is poorly served by United Nations agencies designated to protect workers: the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). The neoliberal programs initially adopted by the United Nations supported institutions of social protection and regulation and expanded worker protections and union growth. Neoliberalism later became synonymous with globalism and shared in its international success. The fundamental change under neoliberalism was the exchange and accumulation of capital. The major beneficiaries of neoliberalism, at the expense of workers, were large transnational corporations and wealthy investors. During this period, WHO and ILO activities in support of workers declined. As neoliberalism ultimately became neoconservatism, occupational health and safety was purposely ignored, and labor was treated with hostility. Neoliberalism had evolved into a harsh economic system detrimental to labor and labor rights. The United Nations is now in decline, taking with it the trivial WHO and ILO programs. Replacements for the WHO and ILO programs must be developed. It is not enough to call for renewed funding, given the United Nations' failure to direct the global effort to protect workers. A new direction must be found.