ILO Tripartite Partners in Tanzania dialogue on ratification and application of Occupational Health and Safety conventions

Dar es Salaam (ILO News) The ILO in collaboration with the Prime Minister Office - Labour, Youth, Employment and People with Disabilities (PMO-LYEPD) and the social partners are conducting a workshop for key stakeholders on Conventions 184 (2001) on safety and health in Agriculture, C187 (2006), the Promotional Framework on OSH, and OSH protocol 155 (2002), from 20 to 21 February 2018 in Dar es Salaam.

The workshop which is being attended by more than 40 workers, employers, farmers’ organizations, selected NGOs and relevant Ministries’ representatives is aimed at raising awareness and knowledge on the application of C184 and the other conventions within the framework of the Agricultural Strategic Development Plan (ASDP II). Also to share good practice interventions in tobacco and other crops and building capacity to promote the ratification of the conventions.

One of the key outputs of the ILO/ECLT foundation project “Strengthening Social Dialogue to combat hazardous child labour in tobacco growing communities” is to promote the ratification of ILO convention 184 on Safety and Health in Agriculture. Key stakeholders need therefore to have clarity on the benefits and provisions of the above conventions and their impacts to the country’s regulatory frameworks in the field of OSH for the development of a sustainable agricultural sector.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Hawa Wenga, Assistant Labour Commissioner, representing the PMO-LYED, noted that although ratification for the above conventions is not yet done, some of the provisions are already included into the national legal framework e.g. hazardous work as per regulations of the Employment & Labour Relations Act (2004) and the Law of the Child Act (No.21, 2009).

“…We should work closely together to ensure clarity on the conventions among the workers and employers so as to enhance and boost the ratification and application processes…” she emphasized.

On his part, Mr. Albert Okal, NPC, Skills Development, representing the Director, ILO Country Office, Dar es Salaam, Mr. Wellington Chibebe, emphasized for a dire need to improve safety and health standards in agriculture as it is one of the three most dangerous sectors others being construction and mining.

“…Agricultural workers, suffer higher rates of accidents and fatal injuries compared to workers in other sectors and are excluded from any employment injury benefit or insurance schemes in many countries …” he said.

He further added that agricultural workers, their families and child labourers face extra dangers such as exposure to pesticides both at work and in their living environment. Those in the rural areas e.g. those working in the tobacco growing and production sector often lack education on the safety and health hazards, they face severe, pervasive and multi-faceted hazards while participating in different tasks. They are exposed to pesticides, nicotine, heat, sharp tools, dusts and working from heights that presents significant danger for the developing bodies and minds of children, placing them at a higher risk to both acute and chronic health effects.

“…The adoption of Convention 184 on Safety and Health in Agriculture in 2001 was therefore a response to these OSH issues in this sector that includes tobacco growing and production...” he concluded.

Raising of awareness among the various stakeholders on C184 and the related OSH conventions will help to boost and fast tracking the ratification and implementation of the conventions and further promote the agricultural sector which is the lifeblood of the economy. In Tanzania, like in many other African countries, agriculture is the main sector relied upon in building the economy as 30% of the country’s GDP comes from agriculture with more than 60% of job opportunities from the same sector.

Todate convention No. 155 has been ratified by 66 countries worldwide, 12 countries for the OSH protocol, 16 for convention No. 184 and 43 for the convention No. 187, the promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health.