… In commemoration of World Day for Safety and Health at Work
BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– “It is our main purpose to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases in the world of work.”
The words were said by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Phila Buthelezi, while addressing the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual event celebrated through-out the world today.
“It is an awareness-raising campaign intended to focus international attention on the magnitude of the problem and on how promoting and creating a safety and health culture can help reduce the number of work-related deaths, diseases and injuries.
“The workplace exposes workers to many risks, ranging from biological, chemical and physical hazards, to psychosocial and ergonomic hazards. Millions of workers lose their lives each year due to occupational accidents and diseases, with many more suffering from incapacitating work-related injuries and chronic conditions,” said Buthelezi.
He further said Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) measures were therefore essential for the prevention of accidents and diseases at work saying the labour space was very dynamic, with pertinent implications for OSH.
“The COVID-19 pandemic brought a change in the way we work and has clearly demonstrated how crucial OSH is and the protection of the workforce. Other emerging issues like climate change also have profound impacts on OSH. The issue of mental health at work is also a theme that is gaining magnitude, with unsafe or unhealthy working conditions and environments being shown to dent psychological well-being.
“Since its founding in 1919, one of the core objectives of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has been to promote safe and healthy working environments. It has adopted more than 40 OSH-specific international labour standards, as well as more than 40 OSH-specific codes of practice.” The Honourable Minister further said in June 2022, the International Labour Conference declared that “a safe and healthy working environment” is a fundamental principle and right at work.
“This also included designating the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) as fundamental Conventions. This brought about an obligation to Member States of the ILO, to respect, promote and realize, in good faith and in accordance with the ILO Constitution, the principles concerning the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment.
“In the context of the 2023 World Day for Safety and Health at Work, we celebrate the recognition of a “safe and healthy working environment” as a fundamental principle and right at work, hence it is the theme for this year.”
The ILO Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety Convention No.187 provides for the creation of a National Policy; National System and National Programme on Occupational safety and health; in which the right to a healthy and safe work environment is respected at all levels.
The Minister then said in conformity to the ILO Promotional Framework, the country had carried out a situational analysis of the current National OSH system resulting in our first National OSH Profile 2020.
“This is an inventory of what is in place for the implementation and management of OSH to assist in setting national priorities. In response to the findings of this study a National OSH Policy has been formulated in order to harmonize and streamline the management of OSH in the country.
“Also, the country has recently launched the second edition of Eswatini Decent Work Country Programme (2022-2025) which has; as one of the strategies towards Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Growth, formulating legislative framework that will incorporate provisions to protect all workers against hazards to their safety and health.”
Concluding, Buthelezi the said promotion of occupational safety and health is an important strategy that contributes positively to productivity. The health, safety and well-being of working people are thus prerequisites for improvements in quality and productivity, and are of the utmost importance for equitable and sustainable socio-economic development. “The Government of the Kingdom in partnership with the social partners is committed to shaping a national OSH culture that is effective and proficient towards the success of sustainable national development and enable the country to compete with other nations and the developed world. We wish the nation and the world of work a safe and healthy year ahead.”
