Employmentweb_low

EMployMEnT, worK, and HEalTH inEqualiTiEs - a global perspective
reservoirs, especially in more arid regions. in the Usa, the sierra
club has joined with unions and other agencies to develop a host of
green job opportunities along these lines (see sierra club, 2009).
again, these opportunities apply to both rich and poor countries.
similar arguments can be applied to food production. Beyond the
disastrous economic consequences of poor countries substituting
export commodities for food production (which even the imf
recognises now), food security and the relative costs and benefits of
localised production for some food items require a reconsideration
of food sourcing and production which will generate employment
(existing examples include reactivating unused urban space, a
process already pioneered by some community groups in the
UK). changes to agriculture aimed at minimising dust and soil
erosion, encouraging natural pest predators, re-vegetation/reforestation,
as well as measures to ensure clean water, water
table remediation, water recycling and waste recycling, should
re-emerge as important areas of employment in both poor and
rich countries, thus addressing both the threats of
environmental degradation and climate change and establishing
more sustainable production systems. again, research and
development in association with technologies appropriate to
achieving this can be undertaken and shared by both poor and
rich countries.
With regard to transportation, the shift away from active,
healthy forms of land transport such as walking and riding bikes,
river and canals and railroads towards road transport for both
people and freight, which has taken place since World War ii, has
al rashidy El Mizan production site. rashidi El led to a mix that is inefficient (even in an economic sense, once
Mizan is Egypt's leading producer of halawa full road costs are calculated), land hungry, unsustainable and
and tahina, two sesame-seed made products causes pollution (Buehler, pucher, & Kunert, 2009; Genter,
(Cairo).
Donovan, & petrenas, 2009; mcGimpsey, havermann, &
source: © ilo/M. crozet (2008)
sutcliffel, 2009). a combination of economic pressure,
deregulation, hidden subsidies and failure to invest in rail
infrastructure has resulted in the expansion and restructuring of
road freight transport involving bigger trucks and elabourate
subcontracting leading to work intensification and contingent pay
that has had negative effects on both public and occupational health
(saltzman & Belzer, 2007; Belzer, 2009; christopherson & Belzer,
2009). solutions include a substantial extension and upgrading of
freight (such as heavy rail) and passenger transport (which includes
heavy rail, light rail and subways), as well as the establishment of
multi-modal centres to interface with short-haul trucking. as in
europe, high-speed rail will also present an effective alternative to
372