The WHO has issued a grim warning about the danger of overworking. It said working long hours causes the premature death of hundreds of thousands of people. The organization analysed the link between loss of life and long hours. The findings were sad. Around three-quarters of a million workers die early from strokes and heart attacks because of working over 55 hours a week. Most of these deaths were in people aged 60 to 70 who worked over 55 hours between the ages of 45 and 74. The WHO said men accounted for 72 per cent of the deaths.
The WHO said people who work at least 55 hours a week have a 42 per cent increased risk of stroke, and a 19 per cent increased chance of heart disease. Researchers looked at data from 154 countries from 1970 to 2018. The WHO said: "No job is worth the risk of stroke or heart disease. Governments, employers and workers need to work together to agree on limits to protect the health of workers." Over nine per cent of workers overwork. The WHO said the situation is "accelerating" because of the pandemic and that there is a "trend towards increased working time".