National OSH Month 2021

Investments on OSH improve companies’ safety performances

Indonesia is celebrating its National Occupational Safety and Health month by encouraging beneficial connection between OSH investments and safety performances and by promoting OSH culture in all business sectors, including micro and small businesses.

News | Jakarta, Indonesia | 15 January 2021
The National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) month, held annually from 12 January to 12 February, was marked with two important national events held in Westernmost Province of Aceh: The national seminar held by Iskandar Muda University, Banda Aceh, on 11 January and the launch of the National OSH month at Zero Kilometre Monument of Sabang, Aceh, on 12 January.

OSH measurement taken at the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic (c) ILO/F. Latief
These activities were conducted by the Ministry of Manpower with support from relevant labour actors in the country, including the ILO. Under this year’s theme, “Strengthening Superior Human Resources and OSH Culture in All Business Sectors”, the National OSH month highlighted the importance of OSH, particularly during the challenging situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is a very significant connection. Once companies increase their investments in OSH, the rate of work accidents also decrease. This improves the overall companies’ safety performances, for sure."

Ida Fauziyah, Minister of Manpower
During the launch of the National OSH month, Ida Fauziyah, Minister of Manpower, reminded that enterprises regarding three requiring components for good OSH performance: Commitment and leadership of the management, active engagement of workers and greater access to OSH advices. She also encourage enterprises to see the connection between investments in OSH and safety performances.

“It is a very significant connection. Once companies increase their investments in OSH, the rate of work accidents also decrease. This improves the overall companies’ safety performances, for sure,” said the Minister Ida.

Acknowledging the high number of work accidents, added Minister Ida, the Ministry of Manpower is going take some actions. The first action is the finalization of the National OSH programme for the period of 2021-2025. Still in the process of gaining the approval of the President of Indonesia, the programme acts as guidelines for the government and other relevant stakeholders in improving the quality of prevention, handling and control of work accidents in all sectors, including micro and small businesses.

People are increasingly connected to digital information anywhere and anytime that has brought implications to safety and health in the workplace. Therefore we need start focusing on the usage of the technology to the OSH practices and implementations."

Abdul Hakim, ILO’s National Project Officer for Social Dialogue to Promote Decent Work and Business Sustainability
The second action is the labour inspection reform. The reform is not only limited to strengthening the integrity of the labour inspection, but also include renewing approaches in public development and services. In the context of OSH reform, a platform named https://temank3.id has been developed for all OSH stakeholders to be informed about developments of OSH in Indonesia covering public services, certification as well as improvements in quality and capability of individuals and companies in OSH.

The third action is the commitment to reducing occupational accidents and occupational diseases in Indonesia through the Three Zeros: Zero Accident; Zero Violation of OSH; and Zero Penalty of OSH Enforcement.

Congratulating the commitment of Indonesian government on OSH implementation, Abdul Hakim, ILO’s National Project Officer for Social Dialogue to Promote Decent Work and Business Sustainability, said that the three actions planned by the government could significantly contribute to a reduction in the number of work accidents in Indonesia and to widely promote OSH culture in the country.

Digital-based work as part of the future of work (c) ILO/B. Byambasuren
During the discussion at the Iskandar Muda University, Abdul explained about the importance of connecting OSH with the enhancement of technology driving the Revolution 4.0. “People are increasingly connected to digital information anywhere and anytime that has brought implications to safety and health in the workplace. Therefore we need start focusing on the usage of the technology to the OSH practices and implementations,” he said.

Therefore, related to the future of work and OSH, he reminded the participants about the importance of examining and assessing occupational risks and hazards in sectors utilizing artificial intelligence, robots and digital platforms. “These three platforms are believed to pose new risks and dangers. In the context of digital platforms, we see the possibility of increasing psychosocial risks, digital security to cyberspace, aggression and attacks on privacy,” Abdul concluded.

The support of the ILO was given through its Social Dialogue to Promote Decent Work and Business Sustainability project. The project aims to strengthen social dialogue among the tripartite constituents and its institutions at the national level as well as to strengthen bipartite mechanisms as means to enable businesses to operate safely and productively, and workers to have safe working environment.