Workers mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work

The Ministry of Labour and Social Services revealed this yesterday during the Bulawayo provincial commemorations of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work in the city.

 

The commemorations were held at the Large City Hall car park.

In a speech read on her behalf by the director of social services in the Ministry of Labour and Social Services, Mr Sidney Mhishi, the Minister, Paurina Mpariwa, said a desire for safe, healthy and sustainable economic recovery and growth was a national priority.

“As we commemorate Occupational Health and Safety Day, it is wise to challenge employees to ensure work related health so we do not continue losing workers. This year started on a very bad note as the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has already recorded 2 216 serious occupational injuries with 29 fatalities by the end of March,” said Minister Mpariwa.

“I have to point out that despite some intensive efforts, which are being made by regulatory authorities such as NSSA, the number of occupational accidents and diseases is still depressive and too high for our small economy.”

She said there was a relationship between a safe working environment and organisational performance.

“The International Labour Organisation has estimated that each day an average of 6 000 people die as a result of work related accidents, which brings a total of more than 2,2 million work related deaths every year.

“Research has shown that investing in occupational health, safety, and environmental management leads to a better and sustainable bottom line in business.

“We as a Ministry are therefore calling upon everyone to prioritise safety and occupational health. Employees should stand up and refuse to do unsafe duties because we are going to make sure that no employee is dismissed for refusing to partake in unsafe duties,” she said.

“It is imperative to note that improvement of safety and health performance at work is quite pertinent not only in human terms through the reduction in workers’ deaths, diseases, pain and suffering, but also as a way of ensuring that business and enterprises are successful, sustainable and profitable.”

The Mayor of Bulawayo, Councillor Thaba Moyo, whose speech was read by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Amen Mpofu, said a lack of adequate funds and investors negatively affected health and safety in the city.

“We desire to have a city endowed with a safe, healthy and fast growing sustainable green economy. We are trying our best to attract investors but the city is facing many challenges. These include shrinking economy base, limited investments and dwindling rate of inflows,” said Clr Moyo.

“It is not only time to commemorate the day but to collaborate in our different endeavours to make Bulawayo a better place to live and work. We should speak with one voice against accidents in our factories and roads and enhance life rather than reduce the life span of a worker.”

The vice-president of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Ms Sithokozile Siwela said the alarming rate of unemployment in the country was making workers neglect occupational health and safety.

“We are very disappointed in how workers have settled for the least because of unemployment rates and the dwindling economy. Many workers are desperate for work so employers tend to take advantage of that and abuse their rights to health and safety,” said Ms Siwela.

She urged workers to advocate for their rights and to consult ZCTU and the Ministry if their employers were infringing on their rights to occupational health and safety.

Dr Debru Negash, a representative from the ILO also addressed the workers and said 2012 commemorations focused on the promotion of occupational safety and health in a green economy.

“We are saying we promote a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. As the green economy develops, it is essential that safety and health at work are integrated into green jobs policies. A true green job must integrate safety and health into design, procurements, operations, certification systems and operational safety and health quality standards,” said Dr Negash.