Revisiting the Occupational Health Impact of Right-to-Work Laws: A Research Note.

This research note reevaluates the occupational health impact of right-to-work (RTW) legislation, incorporating recent developments in causal inference techniques. In an era marked by an uptick in the adoption of anti-union legislation and increases in workplace fatalities and injuries, it is particularly urgent to examine the extent to which RTW laws affect workers' health. Using a state-year-level dataset spanning 28 years and collected from multiple data sources, we apply an innovative generalized synthetic control method to overcome several limitations of the traditional two-way fixed-effects approach to examine the effect of RTW laws on occupational fatal injuries as well as various other health outcomes. Robustness checks were conducted using a wide range of alternative methods for two-way fixed-effects adjustments. In contrast with findings from previous studies, we found null effects on occupational fatal injuries, as well as on all other health outcomes. Overall, our results indicate that findings from previous studies are based on very thin empirical evidence, with potentially underestimated standard errors and unobserved confounders. Our results highlight the importance of revisiting research questions using updated methodological tools.

Factors influencing decent work among psychiatric nurses in China: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the current status of decent work among psychiatric nurses and analyze its influencing factors. METHODS: In February 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a cluster sample of 358 nurses from a tertiary Grade A psychiatric hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Data were collected using a custom-made nurse demographic scale to gather demographic information. The Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERIQ) was used to assess the imbalance between effort and reward through the effort-reward ratio (ERR). The Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) measured subjective support, objective support, and support utilization. The Decent Work Perception Scale (DWPS) was used to evaluate nurses' perceptions of decent work. T-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analyses were employed for data analysis. RESULTS: The study found that the correlation between decent work and social support was positive (r = 0.360, p < 0.001), while it was negative for effort-reward imbalance (r = -0.584, p < 0.001). Factors influencing perceptions of decent work included years of work experience (ß = -0.164, p = 0.046 for < 5 years; ß = -0.157, p = 0.040 for > 25 years), social support (ß = 0.259, p < 0.001), and the effort-reward imbalance (ß=-0.458, p < 0.001). These factors collectively explained 40.2% of the variance in perceptions of decent work. Furthermore, social support plays a mediating role between effort-reward imbalance and decent work (ß=-0.062, Bootstrap 95% CI: -0.107, -0.023). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that years of work experience, social support, and the effort-reward imbalance are factors influencing decent work among psychiatric nurses. By offering career development opportunities, fostering supportive work environments, and ensuring fair compensation, we can empower psychiatric nurses to navigate job challenges effectively and sustain a sense of decency in their work.

Scoping review on the link between economic growth, decent work, and early childhood caries.

BACKGROUND: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a prevalent chronic non-communicable disease that affects millions of young children globally, with profound implications for their well-being and oral health. This paper explores the associations between ECC and the targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8). METHODS: The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. In July 2023, a search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using tailored search terms related to economic growth, decent work sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and efforts to eradicate forced labor, slavery, and human trafficking and ECC all of which are the targets of the SDG8. Only English language publications, and publications that were analytical in design were included. Studies that solely examined ECC prevalence without reference to SDG8 goals were excluded. RESULTS: The initial search yielded 761 articles. After removing duplicates and ineligible manuscripts, 84 were screened. However, none of the identified studies provided data on the association between decent work, economic growth-related factors, and ECC. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review found no English publication on the associations between SDG8 and ECC despite the plausibility for this link. This data gap can hinder policymaking and resource allocation for oral health programs. Further research should explore the complex relationship between economic growth, decent work and ECC to provide additional evidence for better policy formulation and ECC control globally.

Continuing work in times of COVID-19: Protection measures in the workplace for health professionals.

BACKGROUND: The arrival of COVID-19 in Brazil and the accelerated process of dissemination/contamination added to the evolution of the clinical picture of the disease, and the saturation of the capacity of health services, creating new challenges for researchers, governments, and professionals involved in the occupational health area. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to systematize and synthesize the proposals adopted by the legislation and by the Brazilian State, with a focus on worker protection and guaranteeing a safe work environment for the performance of their professional activities. METHODS: This is qualitative bibliographical research of the narrative literature review type, developed from October 2020 to June 2021 in legislation databases using the strategy: "COVID-19" AND "coronavirus/coronavirus" AND "worker health" on official Brazilian government websites. RESULTS: The lack of an emergency plan for efficient actions to respond to the epidemic caused and is still causing the daily deaths of workers. CONCLUSION: There is a need to guarantee the effectiveness of national and international policies and norms that have been neglected by the Brazilian government.

Refugees and access to employment in Brazil: implications for health and sociability / Refugiados y acceso al empleo en Brasil: implicaciones para la salud y la sociabilidad / Refugiados e o acesso ao emprego no Brasil: implicações na saúde e sociabilidade

ABSTRACT This is a reflective study with the objective of analyzing the possibilities of access to employment by refugees in the Brazilian territory, in view of the socio-legal conditions in Brazil, understanding the relationship between work and health. Refugees experience the penalty of restricted access to employment, which has a significant impact on their lives. By remaining disconnected from work, they are pushed to the margins of society. In addition to this, they face difficulties in accessing adequate housing, healthcare services, education, healthy food, among others, all of which deeply affect their way of life in a foreign country with a different culture. The work becomes relevant in the discussion about access to health, goods and services necessary to live with dignity, and its implications in the work-health-disease relationship. Collaborative actions at a global level are necessary to ensure that employment opportunities are available for refugees. In this regard, this reflection articulates two basic ideas: the recognition of the importance of work in social life and living conditions, and the understanding that the determination of the health-disease process goes beyond the biological and individual choices, having historicity and a social and cultural character.

RESUMEN Se trata de un estudio reflexivo con el objetivo de analizar las posibilidades de acceso al empleo por refugiados en el territorio brasileño, frente a las condiciones socio-jurídicas en Brasil, comprendiendo la relación entre trabajo y salud. Los refugiados experimentan la penalización del acceso al empleo como el mayor impacto en sus vidas, ya que al mantenerse alejados del trabajo, se les coloca en los márgenes de la sociedad. A esto se suman las dificultades para acceder a una vivienda adecuada, servicios de salud, educación, alimentación saludable, entre otros, con profundas implicaciones en la forma de vida en un país y cultura diferentes. El trabajo adquiere relevancia en la discusión sobre el acceso a la salud, los bienes y servicios necesarios para vivir con dignidad y sus repercusiones en la relación trabajo-salud-enfermedad, requiriendo acciones colaborativas a nivel global para asegurar que haya empleo disponible para los refugiados. En ese sentido, esta reflexión articula dos ideas básicas: el reconocimiento de la importancia del trabajo en la vida social y en las condiciones de vida, y la comprensión de que la determinación del proceso salud-enfermedad va más allá de las elecciones biológicas e individuales, teniendo una historicidad y carácter social y cultural

RESUMO Trata-se de estudo reflexivo com o objetivo de analisar as possibilidades de acesso ao emprego por refugiados no território brasileiro, frente às condições sociojurídicas do Brasil, compreendendo as relações entre trabalho e saúde. Os refugiados vivenciam a penalização de acesso ao emprego com maior impacto em sua vida, pois ao manterem-se afastados do trabalho, são colocados à margem da sociedade. Somam-se a isto as dificuldades de acesso a moradias adequadas, aos serviços de saúde, educação, alimentação saudável, dentre outros, com implicações profundas no modo de viver em um país distinto do seu e de sua cultura. O trabalho adquire relevância na discussão sobre o acesso à saúde, bens e serviços necessários para viver com dignidade e suas repercussões na relação trabalho-saúde-doença, sendo necessárias ações colaborativas em nível global para garantir que o emprego esteja disponível para refugiados. Neste sentido, a presente reflexão articula duas ideias básicas: reconhecimento da importância do trabalho na vida social e nas condições de vida; e que a determinação do processo saúde-doença ultrapassa o biológico e as escolhas individuais, tendo uma historicidade e caráter social e cultural.

Trabalho sexual no Brasil: uma abordagem do protagonismo das prostitutas na luta pelo reconhecimento do direito ao exercício da profissão / Sexual work in Brazil: An approach to the protagonism of prostitutes in their struggle for recognition of the right to exercise the profession

RESUMO O presente ensaio teve como objeto de estudo a luta das prostitutas brasileiras pelo reconhecimento do trabalho sexual como profissão. Utilizando revisão bibliográfica, apresenta a formação do Movimento das Prostitutas no Brasil e suas reivindicações, busca definir o que é trabalho sexual e, ao final, discorre sobre o percurso dessas reivindicações no Poder Legislativo. Conclui-se que os entraves ao reconhecimento da profissão pelo Estado brasileiro estão relacionados com o estigma que marca as trabalhadoras do sexo.

ABSTRACT This essay aimed to study the struggle of Brazilian prostitutes for the recognition of sexual work as a profession. Through a bibliographic review, it presents the establishment of the Brazilian Prostitutes Movement and its claims, seeks to define sex work, and, finally, shows the trajectory of their claims in the Legislative Branch. It concluded that the obstacles to the recognition of the profession by the Brazilian State are related to the stigma that marks sex workers.

State policies that promote, and that inhibit, improved public health: An exploratory analysis of paid sick leave.

The United States has no national requirement that employers provide paid sick leave (PSL) to their employees, despite the many established public health benefits of PSL access. Many states, and some localities, have passed laws requiring PSL within their jurisdictions. Past studies have shown that these PSL mandates are effective in promoting increased PSL access. However, past studies have not considered two other commonly-used state policy initiatives-PSL preemption and right-to-work laws-that could hypothetically influence employers' decisions to provide PSL. During the past few decades, all possible combinations of these policy interventions can be found in one or more U.S. states. This study estimates the combined associations of these 3 policies with PSL access. The estimates support recent research on the positive effects of PSL mandates, but also suggest that PSL preemption and right-to-work laws may have offsetting effects. Failure to take account of these additional policies may lead to an over-estimate of the effectiveness of PSL mandates.

Fundamentos da contrarreforma trabalhista do governo temer e suas repercussões para a classe trabalhadora / Los fundamentos de la contrarreforma laboral del gobierno de temer y sus repercusiones para la clase obrera / Elements of the temer presidency's counter-reformation and its repercussions for the working class

Resumo: Neste artigo, discutimos fundamentos político-ideológicos da Contrarreforma Trabalhista (Lei nº 13.467 de 13 de julho de 2017), que alterou a Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho. Com base em uma análise bibliográfica e documental, recorrendo a fontes primárias e secundárias, concluímos que essa contrarreforma não decorreu de diálogo amplo e profundo com a sociedade. As modificações nos dispositivos jurídicos, efetivadas em um processo de tramitação açodado, contradizem documentos legais e afrontam objetivos, princípios, direitos e garantias constitucionais, bem como convenções internacionais da Organização Internacional do Trabalho. Os fundamentos da contrarreforma residem no plano político-econômico e alinham-se à lógica neoliberal. Ela foi ancorada em discursos que disseminaram argumentos equivocados e inverdades. Mais de quatro anos após sua aprovação, as taxas de desemprego permanecem elevadas, a retomada do desenvolvimento econômico não se efetivou e a precarização das relações de trabalho foi aprofundada, com o recrudescimento da informalidade e vulnerabilidade social da classe trabalhadora.

Abstract: In this article, we discuss the political-ideological foundations of the Labor Counter-Reformation (Law nº 13.467 of July 13, 2017) which amended the Consolidation of Labor Laws. Based on a bibliographical and documentary analysis, using primary and secondary sources, we concluded that this Counter-Reformation did not result from a broad and deep dialogue with society. The changes in legal provisions, carried out in a rushed process, contradict legal documents and violate Constitutional objectives, principles, rights and guarantees, as well as international conventions of the International Labor Organization. The foundations of the Counter-Reformation reside on the political-economic level and are aligned with the neoliberal logic. It was anchored in speeches that disseminated misguided arguments and untruths. More than four years after its approval, unemployment rates remain high, the resumption of economic development has not taken place and the precariousness of labor relations has deepened, with the resurging of informality and social vulnerability of the working class.

Resumen: En este artículo discutimos los fundamentos politico-ideológicos de la Contrarreforma Laboral (Ley nº 13.467 del 13 de julio de 2017), que modificó las Consolidación de las Leyes del Trabajo. Con base en un análisis bibliográfico y documental, utilizando fuentes primarias y secundarias, concluimos que esta contrarreforma no resultó de un diálogo amplio y profundo con la sociedad. Los cambios en las disposiciones legales, realizados en un proceso apresurado, contradicen los documentos legales y violan los objetivos, principios, derechos y garantías constitucionales, así como los convenios internacionales de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo. Los fundamentos de la contrarreforma residen en el plano político-económico y se alinean con la lógica neoliberal. La contrarreforma se ancló en discursos que difundieron argumentos equivocados y falsedades. A más de cuatro años de su aprobación, las tasas de desempleo se mantienen altas, no se ha producido la reanundación del desarrollo económico y se ha profundizado la precariedad de las relaciones laborales, con el resurgimiento de la informalidad y vulnerabilidad social de la clase obrera.

Inserción laboral de personas en situación de discapacidad en América Latina / Employability of people with disabilities in Latin America

Resumen Este artículo presenta una revisión bibliográfica sobre la inserción laboral de las personas en situación de discapacidad en América Latina. Se analizan leyes, informes técnicos y artículos científicos. Los resultados muestran un marco para la inserción laboral de las personas en situación de discapacidad constituido por la existencia de distintos instrumentos legales. Sin embargo, el desempleo, la pobreza, desigualdad y falta de oportunidades afectan a este colectivo. Las discusiones giran en torno a la necesidad de consolidar políticas públicas con el propósito de mejorar las condiciones de vida de estos seres humanos.

Abstract This article is a literature review about labor insertion of people with disabilities in Latin America. It analyzed different documents (regulations, technical reports and papers). The results show the existence of a legal frame in the region for inclusion of people with disabilities. However, unemployment, poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunities affect this group. The discussions concentrate on the need to consolidate public policies and priority actions to transform the lives of these people.

Capacidad laboral de las personas mayores de 50 años, en proceso de reintegración, adscritos a la Agencia para la Reincorporación y la Normalización / Work capacity in people being over 50 years old, in the process of reincorporation, registered in the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization / Capacidade de trabalho de pessoas com mais de 50 anos, em processo de reintegração, vinculados à Agência para a Reintegração e a vida Normal

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar los factores asociados a la capacidad laboral de las personas mayores de 50 años, excombatientes de los grupos al margen de la ley, adscritos a la Agencia para la Reincorporación y la Normalización. Metodología: Estudio observacional, analítico de fuente de información primaria, con 239 personas mayores en proceso de reintegración, encuestados en cinco lugares de Colombia. Se calculó la razón de prevalencia cruda y ajustada, mediante una regresión logística no condicional, con valor de p< 0,05, considerada una asociación estadísticamente significativa. Resultados: El 71,5 % de las personas mayores de 50 años se encuentran laborando, principalmente, en el sector informal. La dependencia funcional se asocia, aunque no de forma significativa, con ser hombre, soltero, no tener limitaciones para ver o moverse, y mostrar habilidades en la conducción de vehículos y el manejo de computadores. Presentaron mayor limitación en el campo laboral los que tienen dificultades para hablar y un menor nivel educativo. Conclusión: La adaptación a la vida laboral de las personas mayores excombatientes de los grupos al margen de la ley puede facilitarse con la implementación de enfoques diferenciales, programas educativos formales e informales, el uso de ayudas ortopédicas, la generación de estrategias de acceso al empleo y estrategias saludables que promuevan su salud y atención a los efectos de la guerra.

Abstract Objective: To identify factors associated with work capacity in people being over 50 years old, who used to be ex-combatants from groups outside the law, and who are now registered in the Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization. Methodology: Observational analytic study using primary sources of information from 239 senior subjects in the reincorporation process. All of them were surveyed in five different locations in Colombia. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated through unconditional logistic regression, with a p-value of < 0.05, which is considered a statistically significant association. Results: 71.5 % of subjects being over 50 years old work mainly in the informal sector. A functional dependency is associated, though not significantly, with being a single man, or a man without sight or movement disabilities, or a man having driving and computer skills. Those with speech disorders and a lower educational level presented greater limitations in the labor field. Conclusion: Adaptation processes to work life for senior ex-combatants from groups outside the law may be facilitated through the implementation of differential approaches, formal and informal educational programs, use of orthopedic aids, generation of strategies for access to employment and health strategies that promote their wellbeing and attention to the effects of war.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar os fatores associados à capacidade laboral de pessoas acima de 50 anos, excombatentes de grupos fora da lei, vinculados à Agência de Reintegração e a vida Normal. Metodologia: Estudo observacional e analítico da fonte primária de informações, com 239 idosos em processo de reintegração, pesquisados em cinco locais da Colômbia. Calculou-se a razão de prevalência bruta e ajustada, através de uma regressão logística não condicional, com valor de p <0,05, considerada uma associação estatisticamente relevante. Resultados: O 71,5% das pessoas com mais de 50 anos estão trabalhando principalmente no setor informal. A dependência funcional está associada, embora não significativamente, a ser homem, solteiro, sem limitações para ver ou se mover e mostrar habilidades em dirigir veículos e trabalho com computadores. Apresentaram maiores limitações no trabalho aqueles que têm dificuldades para falar e com menor nível educacional. Conclusão: A adaptação à vida profissional dos idosos excombatentes dos grupos fora da lei pode ser facilitada com a implementação de abordagens diferenciais, programas educacionais formais e informais, uso de aparelhos ortopédicos, geração de estratégias de acesso ao emprego e estratégias saudáveis que promovam sua saúde e atenção aos efeitos da guerra.

El derecho de la mujer al trabajo y a la maternidad en Cuba / The right of women to work and motherhood in Cuba

RESUMEN Introducción: el estudio del derecho de la mujer al trabajo y a la maternidad, constituye una necesidad socio jurídica, ante la situación desfavorable que poseen las contratadas en estado de gestación, con la implementación de las nuevas formas de la economía en Cuba. Objetivo: valorarla protección jurídica del derecho de la mujer al trabajo y a la maternidad, desde de la etapa de Cuba como colonia de España hasta la actualidad. Métodos: jurídico-doctrinal y el histórico-jurídico. Resultados: el derecho de la mujer a la maternidad se considera trascendental en el marco del ejercicio del derecho al trabajo, por lo que representa para su realización personal, familiar y contribución a la natalidad. No obstante, el régimen especial de seguridad socialestablecido para las contratadas en estado de gestación en el sector cuentapropista, posee algunos vacíos legislativos superados en el sector estatal. Conclusión: la protección jurídica del derecho de la mujer al trabajo y a la maternidad, desde la etapa de Cuba como colonia de España hasta la actualidad, ha cambiado de forma notable, sobre todo, a partir del período neocolonial, con la puesta en vigor de la Constitución de 1940; lo que constituye en la actualidad un derecho fundamental y una prioridad para el Estado, como parte de su política económica y social expresada en la vigente ley constitucional, y en otras de régimen especial que requieren ser perfeccionadas.

ABSTRACT Introduction: the study related to women's right to work and to motherhood is a socio-legal requirement, given the unfavorable situation of pregnant women, taking into account the introduction of the new types of self-employment modalities into the Cuba economy. Objective: to assess the legal protection of women's right to work and motherhood, from the stage of Cuba as a Spanish colony to the present times. Methods: legal-doctrinal and historical-legal methods were applied. Results: the right of women to motherhood is considered transcendental in the framework of the exercise of the right to work: for what it represents for their personal, family and her contribution to birth. However, the special social security regime established for those pregnant women in the self-employment sector, has some legislative gaps that exceed those established into the government sector. Conclusion: legal protection of the right of women to work and to motherhood, from the period of Cuba as a colony of Spain to the present times, has changed notably, especially since the neocolonial period, with the entry into force of the Constitution of 1940; establishing since that period the basic rights and a priority for the government, as part of its economic and social policy expressed in the existing constitutional law, and in others of special regime that need to be perfected.

A historicidade dos direitos humanos e os pensamentos de Bobbio e Arendt na construção do direito ao trabalho e ao lazer / The historicity of human rights and the thoughts of Bobbio and Arendt in the construction of the right to work and leisure

A partir das premissas apontadas por Norberto Bobbio em sua obra "A Era dos Direitos" e por Hannah Arendt, em sua obra "A condição Humana", verifica-se a historicidade dos Direitos Humanos e sua influência no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, particularmente na Constituição Federal de 1988 e na construção teórica, positivação e efetividade do direito do trabalho e do direito ao lazer do trabalhador. Neste sentido, o enfoque principal está na historicidade dos Direitos Humanos defendida por Bobbio e na importância do direito ao trabalho e ao lazer destacado por "Hannah Arendt.". Também recebe destaque neste trabalho as Cartas Encíclicas Pacem in Terris e Rerum Novarum, que figuram como elemento importante na historicidade dos Direitos Humanos, inclusive na construção do Direito do trabalho.

Based on the premises pointed out by Norberto Bobbio in his work "The Age of Rights" and by Hannah Arendt, in his work "The Human Condition", the historicity of Human Rights and its influence in the Brazilian legal system, particularly in the Constitution Federal law of 1988 and in the theoretical construction, positivation and effectiveness of labor law and the right to leisure of the worker. In this sense, the main focus is on the historicity of Human Rights advocated by Bobbio and on the importance of the right to work and leisure highlighted by Hannah Arendt. " Also worthy of mention in this work are the Encyclical Letters Pacem in Terris and Rerum Novarum, which figure as an important element in the historicity of Human Rights, including the construction of Labor Law.

Pessoas com Deficiência e a Construção de Estratégias Comunitárias para Promover a Participação no Mundo do Trabalho / People with Disabilities and the Development of Community Strategies To Promote Participation in the Labor Market

RESUMO: Este artigo trata de um estudo retrospectivo sobre estratégias comunitárias para inclusão de Pessoas com Deficiência (PcD) no trabalho, realizadas por projeto de extensão universitária em parceria com a Unidade Básica de Saúde, entre 2012 e 2016. A pesquisa documental identificou o perfil dos atendidos e as ações compreenderam o apoio em grupo (34 encontros) e individual/familiar (172 atendimentos/20 visitas ao local de trabalho). Houve investimento na constituição de rede comunitária de suporte com atores públicos e privados. Dentre os 22 participantes, 10 iniciaram atividade remunerada, 6 estavam desempregados e 6 não iniciaram atividade remunerada nem tinham experiência prévia; tinham em média 29 anos e, majoritariamente, apresentavam deficiência intelectual, pouca escolaridade ou experiência de trabalho. O grupo possibilitou conhecer as necessidades dos participantes, abordar questões coletivas sobre o tema e compartilhar informações. Os apoios individuais foram essenciais para tratar necessidades singulares, considerando a inexistência de política de apoio à permanência de PcD nas empresas. A criação de rede entre os envolvidos possibilitou interlocução entre serviços para enfrentamento das questões. Houve diálogo com a proposta do Emprego Apoiado e Reabilitação Baseada na Comunidade. Esses aspectos facilitaram processos personalizados, demonstrando a importância e a viabilidade de iniciativas comunitárias que poderiam indicar políticas públicas de acesso a direitos.

ABSTRACT: This paper is about a retrospective study on community strategies for inclusion of People with Disabilities (PwD) at work, carried out by a university extension project in partnership with the Basic Health Unit between 2012 and 2016. The documentary research identified the profile of those served and the actions included support in group (34 encounters) and individual/family (172 assistance meetings/20 visits to the workplace). There was investment in the constitution of a community support network with public and private actors. Among the 22 participants, 10 started paid work, 6 were unemployed and 6 did not start paid work or had previous experience; the average age was 29 years and, mostly, had intellectual disability, little schooling or work experience. The group made it possible to meet the needs of the participants, to address collective issues and share information. Individual support was essential to address unique needs, considering the lack of a policy to support the permanence of PwD in companies. The creation of a network among those involved allowed the interlocution between services to deal with the issues. There was dialogue with the proposal of Supported Employment and Community Based Rehabilitation. These aspects facilitated personalized processes, demonstrating the importance and feasibility of community initiatives that may indicate public policies of access to rights.

Does 'right to work' imperil the right to health? The effect of labour unions on workplace fatalities.

OBJECTIVE: Economic policies can have unintended consequences on population health. In recent years, many states in the USA have passed 'right to work' (RTW) laws which weaken labour unions. The effect of these laws on occupational health remains unexplored. This study fills this gap by analysing the effect of RTW on occupational fatalities through its effect on unionisation. METHODS: Two-way fixed effects regression models are used to estimate the effect of unionisation on occupational mortality per 100 000 workers, controlling for state policy liberalism and workforce composition over the period 1992-2016. In the final specification, RTW laws are used as an instrument for unionisation to recover causal effects. RESULTS: The Local Average Treatment Effect of a 1% decline in unionisation attributable to RTW is about a 5% increase in the rate of occupational fatalities. In total, RTW laws have led to a 14.2% increase in occupational mortality through decreased unionisation. CONCLUSION: These findings illustrate and quantify the protective effect of unions on workers' safety. Policymakers should consider the potentially deleterious effects of anti-union legislation on occupational health.

Legal protection of the right to work and employment for persons with mental health problems: a review of legislation across the world.

The right to work and employment is indispensable for social integration of persons with mental health problems. This study examined whether existing laws pose structural barriers in the realization of right to work and employment of persons with mental health problems across the world. It reviewed disability-specific, human rights legislation, and labour laws of all UN Member States in the context of Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It wes found that laws in 62% of countries explicitly mention mental disability/impairment/illness in the definition of disability. In 64% of countries, laws prohibit discrimination against persons with mental health during recruitment; in one-third of countries laws prohibit discontinuation of employment. More than half (56%) the countries have laws in place which offer access to reasonable accommodation in the workplace. In 59% of countries laws promote employment of persons with mental health problems through different affirmative actions. Nearly 50 years after the adoption of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and 10 years after the adoption of CRPD by the UN General Assembly, legal discrimination against persons with mental health problems continues to exist globally. Countries and policy-makers need to implement legislative measures to ensure non-discrimination of persons with mental health problems during employment.