Long working hours led to a 29% increase in deaths from ischemic heart disease and stroke according to an analysis from the period of 2000 to 2016, by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a first global analysis of the loss of life and health from these two diseases associated with working long hours, WHO and ILO estimated that in 2016, 398,000 people died from stroke and 347,000 from heart diseases attributable to having worked 55 or more hours per week.

The study found sufficient evidence that working at least 55 hours per week is associated with a higher risk of both ischemic heart disease and stroke, compared to working 35-40 hours a week. From 2000 to 2016, the numbers of deaths by heart disease from working long hours increased by 42%, and those from stroke by 19%.

ILO said this was concerning given that the number of people working long hours globally has increased over time, to an estimated 479 million workers, or 9% of the global population, a trend that puts more people at risk of work-related disability and early death.

“Working long hours can lead to numerous mental, physical and social effects. Governments should take this issue very seriously," Vera Paquete-Perdigão, Director, Department of Governance and Tripartism, ILO, said. "The Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, as workers can be affected by additional psychosocial hazards arising from the uncertainty of the work situation and longer working hours."

The study found that 72% of deaths occurred among males. Middle-aged or older workers aged between 60-79 years who had worked for 55 hours or more per week between the ages of 45 and 74 years were particularly affected.

According to the ILO, the rise of teleworking, new information and communication technologies, and an upsurge in flexible, temporary, or freelance jobs has increased the trend of working long hours. It has also led to the blurring of boundaries between working time and rest periods.

The ILO is calling on governments, employers and workers to put in place a series of measures, including:

• Governments ratifying and developing policies to implement International Labour Standards on working time, such as setting standards on working time limits, daily and weekly rest periods, paid annual leave, protections for night workers, and the principle of equal treatment for part-time workers.
• Governments, in consultation with the social partners (workers’ and employers’ organisations), can introduce laws and policies that ensure maximum limits on working time and promote workplace compliance for decent working conditions.
• Employers, in collaboration with workers, can organize working time to avoid negative health outcomes for workers in relation to shift work, night work, weekend work and flexi-time arrangements.