Precarious jobs increase risk of premature death: study

STOCKHOLM: A recent study conducted in Sweden has found a significant connection between precarious employment and a higher risk of premature death.

According to DW, the research, based on data spanning from 2005 to 2016 and involving the entire Swedish population aged between 20 and 55, offers crucial insights into the effects of employment conditions on individuals’ life expectancy.

Precarious employment, as defined in the study, pertains to jobs characterised by low income, lack of stability, and the absence of key worker rights and protections. Such jobs often include temporary or agency positions, with employees being denied the ability to take time off or access union support.

The study revealed that individuals who transition from precarious employment to more stable and secure jobs experience a 20 per cent reduction in their risk of death over a six-year period. This risk further decreases to 30 per cent when they remain in secure employment for 12 years.

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Nuria Matilla Santander, an assistant professor in occupational medicine at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, led the study and emphasised the importance of defining the employment terms. She explained that standard employment, in contrast, offers stable income, the ability to lead a normal life, and the exercise of workers’ rights.

Meanwhile, the research further suggests that material deprivation, stress, dangerous work environments, and the cumulative effects of years spent in precarious situations are potential factors contributing to this higher risk of mortality among those in precarious employment.

Although, the study highlights the urgent need for employers to provide better working conditions and for unions to protect workers, it also acknowledges that government welfare policies play a role in addressing this issue.

The study was conducted in Sweden, a country with a strong welfare regime, and the results may differ in regions with less robust social safety nets.

In conclusion, the study’s findings indicate that the world of work is evolving, and there is a potential for creating jobs that do not endanger workers’ health and life expectancy. The transformation can involve increased worker protections, social security measures, and adaptations to the changing landscape of employment.

The study serves as a reminder of the critical importance of improving employment conditions to safeguard the well-being of workers and reduce the risks associated with precarious employment.