Avian Flu and the Workplace

Research was first conducted to establish appropriate programme strategies for reaching the commercial poultry sector. While the ILO was establishing a project office (i.e., recruiting a local National Coordinator and Secretariat), IUF researchers began mapping out the poultry sector, identifying trade union contacts, gauging current Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practices, and taking stock of workers' avian influenza awareness. Simultaneously, the ILO OSH Specialist for East Asia toured Cambodia and Vietnam in order to observe farmers' techniques. The finding that farmers who were aware of avian flu kept fowl in separate cages or isolated them in separate rooms shaped the collection of good practices to be incorporated into existing OSH manuals, such as Work Improvement in Neighbourhood Development (WIND), along with a checklist on bird flu prevention. These materials were expected to be tested, and then adapted if/as necessary.

Interpersonal communication also characterised the effort to raise awareness and change behaviour. For example, IUF organised an awareness raising/capacity building workshop for workers, and undertook training of local trainers. ILO and IUF collaborated on a seminar on workplace activities during National Safety Week in Thailand, and also held a national-level workers' seminar. Advocacy was involved here as well; for instance, organisers made policy recommendations at a tripartite (employers, workers, and government constituents) achievement workshop.

Natural Resource Management, Health.

Subject to additional funding, the project will be replicated in Indonesia, where a national pandemic preparedness plan is currently under preparation. Unlike the project in Thailand, organisers will work to reach the informal sector.