Karachi – Occupational Safety and Health is important for enterprise sustainability and increasing productivity said by Malik Tahir Javed, Chairman EFP Punjab while addressing the Awareness Raising and Capacity Building Workshop for Employers on C-155 and C 187.
The workshop was organized by the Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP), jointly with the Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), with the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on 9th May 2023 at LCCI, Lahore.
Malik Tahir said that OSH is a fundamental right and employers are legally and morally obliged to create safe and healthy workplaces to ensure the safety of the workers. He said OSH involves human lives and therefore cannot be compromised. Besides, it is also in the interest of the industry, as physically and mentally healthy workers are more productive. Various research has indicated that the return on investment on OSH is much higher.
Syed Nazar Ali, Secretary General EFP, briefing the aims and objectives of the workshop informed the participants that OSH Conventions C-155 and C-187 have been included in the existing fundamental principle and right at work and employers are now required to comply with local OSH Legislations and International Standards.
He said that recognizing the need of creating awareness of the employers on the contents, associated obligations, and requirement of compliance of these two conventions. EFP, with the support of ILO, has launched a nationwide awareness-raising and capacity-building campaign for employers and this workshop is the second of a series of workshops planned by the EFP.
Asadullah Faiz, Secretary Labour, and HR Development Govt. of Punjab, appreciated the efforts of EFP and said that this nationwide campaign will help in creating a culture of OSH compliance to ensure the safety of workers. He informed the participants that the labor department of Punjab has developed and implemented a Health and Safety Prevention Strategy with a focus on promoting a culture of prevention through risk assessment and taking measures to avoid accidents, rather than taking corrective actions after the accident. He also shared various initiatives of the labour department to promote OSH, including the establishment of a center of excellence that will serve as the hub of all activities in the area of OSH, including training.
Ms. Sadia Hameed from ILO said that health and safety at the workplace are central to the Decent Work Program and the overall activities of the ILO. To inform, ILO has been supporting stakeholders in their capacity building and developing policies and frameworks for Occupational Safety at the workplace. She also made a comprehensive presentation on Conventions 155 and 187, clarifying the requirements of stakeholders, including workers, employers, and the government, in creating a safe and productive workplace and compliance with international standards.
Akhtar Quddus made a presentation on the obligations and role of employers under these two conventions and also presented good practices adopted by various companies for the safety and well-being of the workers. Group exercise was also carried out, seeking input for promoting OSH as a tool for industrial productivity and workers’ safety.
