Improving safety, health and working conditions for small holder rural farmers
Recognizing the potential of enhanced productivity and quality improvements to creating decent work in the rural economy; the ILO is scaling up its efforts to improve productivity, safety, health and working conditions for small holder rural farmers in Chivi, Gutu, Mutoko, Murehwa and Nyanga through the implementation of feasible low-cost measures.
23 October 2015
MUREHWA (ILO News): Sixty six per cent of Zimbabwe’s population is rural. The agricultural sector is vitally important for the economy of Zimbabwe with 43 per cent of micro, small and medium enterprises found in this sector. The Labour Force Survey of 2014, underscored the role of agriculture in creating jobs, with 67 per cent of the currently employed population being in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector. In addition to this, agriculture has the largest proportion of secondary jobs, the majority of elderly workers, youth and women - 7 out of 10 of working women are in agriculture. Whilst the importance of agriculture is evident, the sector faces significant challenges related to decent work deficits such as low incomes, occupational hazards and productivity. The end result is that 316 000 of the workers are in precarious employment and the majority fall under the category of the ‘working poor’.
The agricultural sector is one of the most hazardous work environments requiring special and priority attention. The risks in this sector include handling of heavy materials, strenuous work postures and long working hours. Farmers further suffer exposure to harsh weather conditions, agro-chemicals, pesticides and dust. In small rural holdings, the workplace also includes the family homestead and affects living conditions.
Recognizing the potential of enhanced productivity and quality improvements to creating decent work in the rural economy; the ILO is scaling up its efforts to improve productivity, safety, health and working conditions for small holder rural farmers. Through the WIND (Work Improvement in Neighbourhood Development) methodology and based on participatory, action-oriented training methods, the ILO in partnership with the Government, Employers and Workers organizations is contributing to the reduction of occupational hazards associated with the agricultural sector.
From 19 to 23 October 2015, the ILO delivered a Training programme on safety, health and working conditions in agriculture, in Murehwa. The Training of Trainers activity was attended by 35 participants who were drawn from Chivi, Gutu, Mutoko, Murehwa and Nyanga districts. The participants represented various institutions active in offering services to rural farmers such as National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe (EMCOZ), Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Ministry of Agriculture (Extension Officers), Ministry of Health and Child Care (Environmental Health Technician); Ministry of Women Affairs Gender and Community Development, Ministry of Youth Indigenization and Economic Empowerment, Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development, Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare (Social Services Officers).
The objective of the training was to build the capacity of local officials to increase the application of decent work principles and Occupational Safety and Health standards among small holder farmers. The Trainers will in turn contribute to this objective by helping farmers to identify potential improvements in working and living conditions, and also develop and implement long lasting low cost solutions in real life situations.
In the opening session, Mr Tonderai Matongo from EMCOZ, highlighted the role of OSH in enhancing productivity and competitiveness. Mr Simon Makambaya, OSH Promotion Officer, called for greater collaboration in reducing the risks in the agricultural sectors as it is a key sector for the economy.
The District Administrator for Murehwa, officially opening the training workshop, noted the significant progress the District had made in the area of youth and women economic empowerment through ILO support. He commended the OSH initiatives as, “a timely intervention that will allow local farmers who have already benefitted from skills development and business development services to improve their working conditions and productivity”.
Through the week, the participants were engaged in practical sessions starting with a visit to a number of small holder farms. The visits included identifying local best practices, as well as risks. The participants also had technical sessions to assess locally feasible improvements in land preparation, use of equipment and safe storage of pesticides.
Officials participating from the five (5) districts will develop proposals that highlight the improvements since undertaking the training. The developed work plans set key milestones that the farmers in the various districts should meet to ensure some measure of improved productivity, living and working conditions.
The agricultural sector is one of the most hazardous work environments requiring special and priority attention. The risks in this sector include handling of heavy materials, strenuous work postures and long working hours. Farmers further suffer exposure to harsh weather conditions, agro-chemicals, pesticides and dust. In small rural holdings, the workplace also includes the family homestead and affects living conditions.
Recognizing the potential of enhanced productivity and quality improvements to creating decent work in the rural economy; the ILO is scaling up its efforts to improve productivity, safety, health and working conditions for small holder rural farmers. Through the WIND (Work Improvement in Neighbourhood Development) methodology and based on participatory, action-oriented training methods, the ILO in partnership with the Government, Employers and Workers organizations is contributing to the reduction of occupational hazards associated with the agricultural sector.
From 19 to 23 October 2015, the ILO delivered a Training programme on safety, health and working conditions in agriculture, in Murehwa. The Training of Trainers activity was attended by 35 participants who were drawn from Chivi, Gutu, Mutoko, Murehwa and Nyanga districts. The participants represented various institutions active in offering services to rural farmers such as National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Employers’ Confederation of Zimbabwe (EMCOZ), Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Ministry of Agriculture (Extension Officers), Ministry of Health and Child Care (Environmental Health Technician); Ministry of Women Affairs Gender and Community Development, Ministry of Youth Indigenization and Economic Empowerment, Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development, Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare (Social Services Officers).
The objective of the training was to build the capacity of local officials to increase the application of decent work principles and Occupational Safety and Health standards among small holder farmers. The Trainers will in turn contribute to this objective by helping farmers to identify potential improvements in working and living conditions, and also develop and implement long lasting low cost solutions in real life situations.
In the opening session, Mr Tonderai Matongo from EMCOZ, highlighted the role of OSH in enhancing productivity and competitiveness. Mr Simon Makambaya, OSH Promotion Officer, called for greater collaboration in reducing the risks in the agricultural sectors as it is a key sector for the economy.
The District Administrator for Murehwa, officially opening the training workshop, noted the significant progress the District had made in the area of youth and women economic empowerment through ILO support. He commended the OSH initiatives as, “a timely intervention that will allow local farmers who have already benefitted from skills development and business development services to improve their working conditions and productivity”.
Through the week, the participants were engaged in practical sessions starting with a visit to a number of small holder farms. The visits included identifying local best practices, as well as risks. The participants also had technical sessions to assess locally feasible improvements in land preparation, use of equipment and safe storage of pesticides.
Officials participating from the five (5) districts will develop proposals that highlight the improvements since undertaking the training. The developed work plans set key milestones that the farmers in the various districts should meet to ensure some measure of improved productivity, living and working conditions.