Find in Library

The social circumstances of forest workers may be considered from the viewpoint of incomes and standard of living. The committee appointed by the U.N. did, however, define in 1961 the standard of living using the following partial factors: health, housing, working conditions, security, human rights, education, recreation, clothing and nutrition. Research has given a rather gloomy picture of forest workersâ health conditions. The living of a forest worker is cramped and long distances to the work sites often compel him to live in working site accommodations, separated from the family. Transport to the working site and building of family quarters for forest workers in densely populated rural areas and villages can improve the workerâs living. The fall of workerâs income in contract work due to deterioration of his physical capacity of performance starts already at the age of 35. In forest work a manâs energy consumption may be higher than 20,000 kJ (4,800 kcal) per day; it is one of the most strenuous occupations. In addition, there is a high accident risk in the work. The heavy work and the working conditions should be taken into account in determining the correct nutrition. Being those who make objections and are primarily responsible for the forest workersâ conditions, forest technicians and forestry officers should â both in their capacity as forest authorities and as the employerâs representatives â see to the improvement of forest workersâ working conditions and social position. The PDF includes a summary in Finnish.