Collaboration between developing and developed countries and between developing countries in occupational health research and surveillance

Collaborative occupational health and safety studies between counterparts i n developing and developed countries and between developing countries have demonstrated their potential for improving occupational health and safety. Such collaboration in occupational health and safety is encouraged in the d evelopment of infrastructure in research empowerment and capacity building. This action includes the setting of priorities, the identification and doc umentation of problems, sponsorship, data bases and surveillance systems, t echnical support, methodology, publishing, research and training programs, controlled intervention, information exchange, and networking. Examples of priorities in occupational health and safety in the developing world includ e the informal sector (informally hired and independent workers), temporary work, pesticides, accidents, dusts, carcinogens, solvents, ergonomics, wom en and child labor, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiencey syndrome (HIV/AIDS), and transfer of hazardous materials and technologies. The sustainability of occupational health and safety structures and functi ons in the developing countries is a primary concern. Socioethical principl es emphasize local, national, mutual and global gains. Examples of collabor ation are given. Pervasive problems and strategies toward their solution ar e highlighted.