Sindh Government prepares first ever Policy on Occupational Safety & Health
The first ever draft provincial Policy on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) was unveiled in Karachi today by the Sindh Labour Department in a tripartite consultation with Employers, Workers, Civil society organizations and media.
KARACHI (ILO News): The first ever draft provincial Policy on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) was unveiled in Karachi today by the Sindh Labour Department in a tripartite consultation with Employers, Workers, Civil society organizations and media. The Policy has been designed as part of the tripartite Joint Action Plan for ‘Promoting Workplace Safety & Health in Sindh’ developed with the technical support of International Labour Organization (ILO) in the aftermath of devastating factory fire in Baldia Town Karachi in September 2012.
The Policy recognizes the need for regulatory and enforcement issues, knowledge and awareness issues; and business and financial issues related to the occupational safety and health of workers in the province of Sindh. It also recognizes the need for strict application of OSH standards in all sectors of the economy and in all forms of employment relationships including formal and informal economic sectors.
The primary purpose of this Policy is not only to eliminate the incidence of work-related injuries, diseases, fatalities, disaster and loss of national assets and ensuring achievements of a high level of OSH performance through proactive approaches but to also enhance the well-being of the employee and the society at large and bringing about a positive economic growth in the province by minimizing losses, wastes and inefficiencies.
The proposed policy is designed to enable the Government to meet its obligations of safeguarding citizens under the Constitution of Pakistan as well as under various international labour standards ratified by the country and also responds to the priorities set out under the country’s Decent Work Country Progrmme II (2010-2015). It provides guidelines for a practical institutional, financial and regulatory framework on OSH; prevent work-related accidents and diseases in Sindh; provide equitable compensation benefits to those who are injured in work-related accidents or who contract occupational diseases; develop a unified regulatory structure; facilitating budgetary allocations for effective enforcing machinery; emphasize role of employers and workers in promoting compliances; and institutionalize the health & safety function at all levels and across the economic spectrum of the province.
After preparing the initial draft policy document, three tripartite Consultative Sessions were organized in Sukkur, Hyderabad and Karachi to get feedback and inputs to make this document more practical and relevant according to the ground realities. Representatives of major organizations of Employers, Workers, civil society, media and academia provided their frank and open feedback on the draft policy document and generally appreciated the efforts of the Sindh Labour Department in drafting a comprehensive document. Participants strongly suggested to establish separate comprehensive laws to ensure safety of workplaces and a separate Directorate of Safety and Health in the Province.
The Policy is now in advanced stage of approval and will be formally announced after approval of the Provincial Cabinet.
Mr Saad Gilani
Senior Programme Officer
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
Email
Tel: +92 51 2276456-8
The Policy recognizes the need for regulatory and enforcement issues, knowledge and awareness issues; and business and financial issues related to the occupational safety and health of workers in the province of Sindh. It also recognizes the need for strict application of OSH standards in all sectors of the economy and in all forms of employment relationships including formal and informal economic sectors.
The primary purpose of this Policy is not only to eliminate the incidence of work-related injuries, diseases, fatalities, disaster and loss of national assets and ensuring achievements of a high level of OSH performance through proactive approaches but to also enhance the well-being of the employee and the society at large and bringing about a positive economic growth in the province by minimizing losses, wastes and inefficiencies.
The proposed policy is designed to enable the Government to meet its obligations of safeguarding citizens under the Constitution of Pakistan as well as under various international labour standards ratified by the country and also responds to the priorities set out under the country’s Decent Work Country Progrmme II (2010-2015). It provides guidelines for a practical institutional, financial and regulatory framework on OSH; prevent work-related accidents and diseases in Sindh; provide equitable compensation benefits to those who are injured in work-related accidents or who contract occupational diseases; develop a unified regulatory structure; facilitating budgetary allocations for effective enforcing machinery; emphasize role of employers and workers in promoting compliances; and institutionalize the health & safety function at all levels and across the economic spectrum of the province.
After preparing the initial draft policy document, three tripartite Consultative Sessions were organized in Sukkur, Hyderabad and Karachi to get feedback and inputs to make this document more practical and relevant according to the ground realities. Representatives of major organizations of Employers, Workers, civil society, media and academia provided their frank and open feedback on the draft policy document and generally appreciated the efforts of the Sindh Labour Department in drafting a comprehensive document. Participants strongly suggested to establish separate comprehensive laws to ensure safety of workplaces and a separate Directorate of Safety and Health in the Province.
The Policy is now in advanced stage of approval and will be formally announced after approval of the Provincial Cabinet.
For further information please contact:
Mr Saad GilaniSenior Programme Officer
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
Tel: +92 51 2276456-8