Representatives from some 35 countries throughout Asia, the Pacific and the Arab states are meeting in Bali this week (6-9 December) to discuss issues such as job creation and promoting equitable work opportunities. The 16th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) is being organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO). About 400 people, including more than 20 Ministers, are expected to attend the four-day meeting. Plenary sessions will look at some of the challenges faced and policies required to create better jobs, developing... Continue reading

Three-quarters of UK schools have asbestos in their buildings, yet many find themselves unable to do anything about it because of disputes over who should foot the bill. So said the Guardian newspaper in 2015. Now, new figures obtained by BBC News show that in the past decade 32 councils have settled asbestos-related claims, paying out compensation of at least £10m in the process. More on this story via the BBC News Website.     Subject related eLearning: The IOSH approved Asbestos Awareness eLearning course  will help yo... Continue reading

With courses now sold out into February 2017, we have scheduled an additional IOSH Managing Safely classroom course date at the International Workplace Executive Centre in London from 23-26 January. Places on this extra course are limited so book yours now! Alternativley, please contact Abu Suma on +44 (0)333 210 1995 for rates and booking information. Book online now ... Continue reading

The Court of Appeal has delivered its judgment in one of the key holiday pay cases, British Gas Trading Ltd v. Lock and another. It held that pay for the four weeks’ of annual leave derived from the European Working Time Directive must include an element for commission. Background As a salesman, a portion of Mr Lock’s earnings were received through commission payments. When he was on holiday, however, he would be unable to earn any commission and his holiday pay was made up of salary only. Mr Lock argued that this decrease in pay would di... Continue reading

Only 60% of working age people with a long-term health condition are currently in employment, according to statistics published by The Work Foundation. And unemployed people are more than twice as likely as employed people to report having a limiting long-term condition (17% unemployed, 9% employed). Long-term conditions are conditions that cannot be cured but can be managed through medication and/or therapy. They include a broad range of medical issues, for example asthma, diabetes, cancer and arthritis. Advances in treatment and an ageing po... Continue reading