Dissemination Event on Occupational Safety and Health
A dissemination event was held to share knowledge and experience on the initial roll out of the Joint Action Plan on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and to gather feedback from key stakeholders on measures to effectively implement the action plan.
A dissemination event was held on 28th November 2014 to share knowledge and experience on the initial roll out of the Joint Action Plan on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and to gather feedback from key stakeholders on measures to effectively implement the action plan. The JAP-OSH is a collaborative effort of the Government of Sindh, Workers and Employers developed in response to the Karachi factory fire of 2012 which killed over 250 workers.
Speaking at the dissemination meeting, Mr Francesco d’Ovidio Country Director ILO stated the facts and figures related to the workplace accidents worldwide and stressed on the importance of implementing the policies of occupational safety and health in Pakistan. He said that accidents usually happen as it is a common phenomenon but if there was no action taken to prevent accidents and hazards in the workplace, then it becomes a recurrent challenge. Mr d’Ovidio added that workplace improvement strategies at enterprise level could help safeguard workers welfare through awareness on OSH, employer’s obligations on providing minimum safety standards and workers responsibilities in understanding what their rights are in terms of workplace safety. Mr d’Ovidio thanked the Labor Department of Sindh who showed their commitment to ensuring the implementation of the JAP. He also assured ILO’s continued support to the Government of Sindh as well as Federal Government and other Provincial Governments in replicating good practices of Sindh on OSH.
The Ambassador of the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Mr Marcel de Vink praised the enthusiasm and passion of all the stakeholders on issues of OSH. He complimented the Government of Sindh and the ILO for the joint effort underway aimed at improving labor inspections and raising awareness among workers and employers on OSH. He said that safe working conditions were not only important for Sindh but all other provinces of Pakistan who should also adopt the same policies. Ambassador de Vink also stated the importance of Pakistan’s ability to compete with other countries through the implementation of OSH initiatives in order to attract more investment. He stated that the real challenge was to implement and enforce these policies consistently
Secretary Labor Department Mr Noor Muhammad Leghari said that the Government of Sindh was committed to the initiative aimed at safeguarding occupational safety of workers in Sindh with the technical support of the ILO and the financial support of the Royal Netherlands Embassy.
President of Employers Federation of Pakistan Mr Khawaja Nauman appreciated the support of ILO and the Netherlands Embassy regarding sensitization and implementation of international labour standards (ILS) and occupational safety and health in particular. He said that improving the quality of work, safety procedures and measures should be strictly followed as this approach was now becoming national. He also congratulated the Labor Department and ILO for developing the OSH policy and assured the support of EFP for the implementation of this policy.
Representative of Workers Federation of Pakistan Mr Khalil ur Rehman appreciated the efforts of the Government of Sindh and ILO in raising standards on Occupational Safety & Health in Sindh Province. He termed these efforts as a great service to the workers in Sindh that would improve safety standards which are aligned to the human rights
In response to fatal factory accident in September 2012, ILO facilitated the Government of Sindh, Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) and the Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF) to develop and sign a Joint Action Plan for Promoting Workplace Safety & Health in Sindh which was signed in October 2013. The Joint Action Plan (JAP) comprises of a set of 23 actions categorized in three areas, i.e. OSH, Labor Inspection and Social Protection - planned over a period of 3 years to establish a strong foundation for an institutional arrangement of OSH Management System in Sindh Province. In the same context, the Embassy of Netherlands in Islamabad provided financial support to ILO to help Government of Sindh in rolling out the JAP-OSH.
Senior Programme Officer / OSH Focal Person
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
Email
Tel: +92 51 2276456-8
Speaking at the dissemination meeting, Mr Francesco d’Ovidio Country Director ILO stated the facts and figures related to the workplace accidents worldwide and stressed on the importance of implementing the policies of occupational safety and health in Pakistan. He said that accidents usually happen as it is a common phenomenon but if there was no action taken to prevent accidents and hazards in the workplace, then it becomes a recurrent challenge. Mr d’Ovidio added that workplace improvement strategies at enterprise level could help safeguard workers welfare through awareness on OSH, employer’s obligations on providing minimum safety standards and workers responsibilities in understanding what their rights are in terms of workplace safety. Mr d’Ovidio thanked the Labor Department of Sindh who showed their commitment to ensuring the implementation of the JAP. He also assured ILO’s continued support to the Government of Sindh as well as Federal Government and other Provincial Governments in replicating good practices of Sindh on OSH.
The Ambassador of the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Mr Marcel de Vink praised the enthusiasm and passion of all the stakeholders on issues of OSH. He complimented the Government of Sindh and the ILO for the joint effort underway aimed at improving labor inspections and raising awareness among workers and employers on OSH. He said that safe working conditions were not only important for Sindh but all other provinces of Pakistan who should also adopt the same policies. Ambassador de Vink also stated the importance of Pakistan’s ability to compete with other countries through the implementation of OSH initiatives in order to attract more investment. He stated that the real challenge was to implement and enforce these policies consistently
Secretary Labor Department Mr Noor Muhammad Leghari said that the Government of Sindh was committed to the initiative aimed at safeguarding occupational safety of workers in Sindh with the technical support of the ILO and the financial support of the Royal Netherlands Embassy.
President of Employers Federation of Pakistan Mr Khawaja Nauman appreciated the support of ILO and the Netherlands Embassy regarding sensitization and implementation of international labour standards (ILS) and occupational safety and health in particular. He said that improving the quality of work, safety procedures and measures should be strictly followed as this approach was now becoming national. He also congratulated the Labor Department and ILO for developing the OSH policy and assured the support of EFP for the implementation of this policy.
Representative of Workers Federation of Pakistan Mr Khalil ur Rehman appreciated the efforts of the Government of Sindh and ILO in raising standards on Occupational Safety & Health in Sindh Province. He termed these efforts as a great service to the workers in Sindh that would improve safety standards which are aligned to the human rights
In response to fatal factory accident in September 2012, ILO facilitated the Government of Sindh, Employers Federation of Pakistan (EFP) and the Pakistan Workers’ Federation (PWF) to develop and sign a Joint Action Plan for Promoting Workplace Safety & Health in Sindh which was signed in October 2013. The Joint Action Plan (JAP) comprises of a set of 23 actions categorized in three areas, i.e. OSH, Labor Inspection and Social Protection - planned over a period of 3 years to establish a strong foundation for an institutional arrangement of OSH Management System in Sindh Province. In the same context, the Embassy of Netherlands in Islamabad provided financial support to ILO to help Government of Sindh in rolling out the JAP-OSH.
For further information please contact:
Mr Saad GilaniSenior Programme Officer / OSH Focal Person
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
Tel: +92 51 2276456-8