Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Government Ministries have been urged to prioritise funding for occupational safety and health programmes as part of efforts to improve worker welfare, institutional resilience and public service delivery.
Addressing Permanent Secretaries yesterday, Deputy Chief Secretary Mr Zvinechimwe Churu said accounting officers have a responsibility to ensure adequate resources are channelled towards Occupational Safety and Health Improvement (OSHI) programmes in their ministries.
Funding should cover workplace risk assessments, awareness and training programmes, wellness initiatives, medical surveillance where necessary, and the provision of appropriate protective equipment, he explained.
“As accounting officers in our respective ministries, we bear a strategic responsibility to ensure that sufficient funding is prioritised for OSHI programmes,” said Mr Churu.
“This includes support for workplace risk assessments, awareness and training programmes, wellness initiatives, medical surveillance where necessary, and the provision of appropriate protective equipment.”
Mr Churu said occupational safety and health investment should not be treated as an optional expense, but as a critical component of human capital development and efficient public sector operations.
“Investment in occupational safety and health should therefore not be viewed as an optional expenditure, but rather as a critical investment in human capital development, institutional resilience and efficient public service delivery,” he said.
Mr Churu said prioritising workplace safety would help reduce occupational hazards, improve employee wellbeing and boost productivity across Government institutions.
He also called on ministries to strengthen workplace awareness programmes and foster a culture of safety and wellness within the public service.
The push for improved occupational safety standards comes as Government continues implementing measures aimed at enhancing working conditions and promoting efficiency across public institutions.
