Work and worker’s health in the current context: what the European Working Conditions Survey teaches us

Abstract

This article is a contribution to the ongoing discussion concerning the desirability of a national enquiry in Brazil that would study the relationship between work and worker’s health. This enquiry would supply data to bolster social partner’s actions in their diverse environments, such as collective bargaining and public policies. Better understanding the determinant factors in the health-sickness process provides essential knowledge for curbing ever increasing work-related suffering, sickness and accidents. One should not only focus on the consequences, but also on the causes of these problems. We based our approach on the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS), which has been implemented in all EU countries since 1990. This survey allows a better understanding of how varying work aspects can impact worker’s health and has become essential reference when developing public policies seeking to improve living conditions for European workers.