Asia Pacific digital academy on OSH, living wages and adequate working time

12 October - 13 November 2020 The online course looked at gaps and weaknesses of occupational safety and health (OSH) systems and social protection mechanisms at the workplace, including the protection schemes for a decent income and working hours exposed and highlighted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. It aimed to assist unions in analyzing current realities on OSH, wages, and working hours critically; look at and build on the gains of virtuous union practices; and come up with policy and programme recommendations at the regional, national and enterprise levels based on ILO instruments, tools, and policy frameworks. OBJECTIVES At the end of the course, participants were expected to be able to: a. navigate the online learning platform and access essential resources for learning; b. determine and analyze the gaps on OSH and working conditions policies and practices highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic; c. discuss the salient points and determine the application of the ILO Conventions 155, 168, and 121, the ILO Policy Framework on the COVID-19, related ILO tools and instruments, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. d. analyze existing legislation and propose policy measures to protect workers better in times of crisis; e. share good (and bad) practices in protecting workers, particularly for vulnerable workers; f. propose trade union actions for regional, national, and enterprise application on protecting workers in times of crisis, including networking with fellow trade union leaders in the region; g. make full use of tripartite and bipartite social dialogue mechanisms for solutions to protect workers and support business continuity. CONTENT The course covered six learning modules and four (4) self-guided learning modules: Module 1. Getting ready for e-learning Module 2. Strengthening occupational safety and health systems Module 3. Understanding the normative framework on OSH, living wages, and working hours Module 4: Protecting Workers at the Workplace: Trade Union Actions Module 5. Relying on social dialogue for collective action Module 6. Application of learning Self-guided learning courses: (1.) Introduction to International Labour Standards, (2.) Managing health crisis and the COVID-19, (3.) Health and safety committees, and (4.) Introduction to Social Dialogue and Tripartism ACHIEVEMENT o Completed some 40 hours of online learning, 52 tasks, 1 pre-course survey, and 1 final course evaluation o Posted an averaged of 17 reflection essays based on think questions in each learning module o Participated in six (6) 90-minutes live teach-ins and interacted with experts and specialists o Undertook four (4) self-guided learning courses online o Passed the 10-point knowledge acquisition assessment (KAA) test o Submitted an ‘application of learning’ (post-training priority actions) through a ‘mind map’ visual presentation