Jordan moves to prevent fire risks in factories and dormitories
As part of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Better Work Jordan will hold meeting of key stakeholders to discuss fire risks at factories and migrant dormitories and ways to prevent them.
26 April 2013
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العربية
AMMAN (ILO News) - To mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the Better Work Jordan (BWJ) programme is hosting a meeting of key stakeholders on occupational safety and health in Jordan’s garment industry on Monday (April 29).
Particular attention will be devoted to improving fire safety in both factories and employer-provided dormitories that house the industry’s 30,000 migrant workforce. While Jordan has a good record when it comes to dealing with fire safety risks in the workplace, fire risks have been identified as higher in dormitories that house migrant workers.
The need to improve fire safety in the garment industry globally was highlighted in November of 2012, when a devastating fire at a garment factory in Dhaka (Bangladesh) killed at least 117 and injured 200 others.
“This is an important meeting because it talks about health and safety within the factories and within the dormitories,’’ said Mr. Mohammad Khourma, chairman of the Jordan Garments, Accessories & Textile Exporters' Association (JGATE). “Dormitories are usually not equipped with safety measures in Jordan. We often have to put those safety measures in place after leasing a dormitory to house our workers.’’
According to the Programme Manager of BWJ, Phillip Fishman, “Dormitory standards - including fire safety measures - could be strengthened in Jordanian law. Enacting legal standards would not only provide guidance to employers and building owners to improve fire safety but will allow the Ministry of Labour to regularly inspect dormitories to ensure that these standards are met.’’
Responsibilities will include the education and self-regulation of workers and employers in order to reduce fire-related risks. Employers provide accommodation to their employees. Therefore, employers should also have a responsibility in ensuring health regulations. Taking personal safety measures is key to reducing the risk of fires in the dormitories.
"These workers have a hard life. They leave work exhausted so they get home and sleep and not think of anything else. Through our workshops, we try to encourage them to take better care of their accommodation,’’ Mr. Fathallah Omrani, President of the General Trade Union of Workers in Textile, Garment and Clothing Industries.
The ILO Constitution enshrines the principle that workers should be protected from sickness, disease and injury arising from their employment. Yet this has yet to become a reality for millions of workers around the world. An estimated 337 million workplace accidents and 2.3 million deaths occur every year, with some 6,300 deaths per day, according to ILO data.
In June 2006, the 95th session of the International Labour Conference adopted Convention No. 187 concerning the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, which entered into force in February 2008.
A unique partnership between the International Labour Organization and International Finance Corporation (IFC), Better Work Jordan aims to improve compliance with international labour standards and national labour law while promoting the competitiveness of the Jordan’s apparel industry.
Venue: Le Royal Hotel, Amman - Jordan
For more information: Nisreen Bathish Abou Ragheb, Jordan Communications Officer, (e): [email protected], (m): +962 79 90 480 12
Particular attention will be devoted to improving fire safety in both factories and employer-provided dormitories that house the industry’s 30,000 migrant workforce. While Jordan has a good record when it comes to dealing with fire safety risks in the workplace, fire risks have been identified as higher in dormitories that house migrant workers.
The need to improve fire safety in the garment industry globally was highlighted in November of 2012, when a devastating fire at a garment factory in Dhaka (Bangladesh) killed at least 117 and injured 200 others.
“This is an important meeting because it talks about health and safety within the factories and within the dormitories,’’ said Mr. Mohammad Khourma, chairman of the Jordan Garments, Accessories & Textile Exporters' Association (JGATE). “Dormitories are usually not equipped with safety measures in Jordan. We often have to put those safety measures in place after leasing a dormitory to house our workers.’’
A call for regulation
One of the main obstacles facing stakeholders is the lack of legal dormitory standards including specific fire safety practices for dormitories. This results in inadequate inspections of these migrant employee accommodations. Fire protection measures, such as alarm and sprinklers systems, marked exits and fire drills should be more widely employed and thoroughly and regularly inspected.According to the Programme Manager of BWJ, Phillip Fishman, “Dormitory standards - including fire safety measures - could be strengthened in Jordanian law. Enacting legal standards would not only provide guidance to employers and building owners to improve fire safety but will allow the Ministry of Labour to regularly inspect dormitories to ensure that these standards are met.’’
Awareness raising and education
Representatives from Jordan’s emergency services, Social Security Corporation, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, the Jordan Industrial Estates Company (JIEC) and trade unions as well as employers, will be attending the meeting. The stakeholders will discuss what action needs to be taken to actively reduce safety and health risks in dormitories.Responsibilities will include the education and self-regulation of workers and employers in order to reduce fire-related risks. Employers provide accommodation to their employees. Therefore, employers should also have a responsibility in ensuring health regulations. Taking personal safety measures is key to reducing the risk of fires in the dormitories.
"These workers have a hard life. They leave work exhausted so they get home and sleep and not think of anything else. Through our workshops, we try to encourage them to take better care of their accommodation,’’ Mr. Fathallah Omrani, President of the General Trade Union of Workers in Textile, Garment and Clothing Industries.
The ILO Constitution enshrines the principle that workers should be protected from sickness, disease and injury arising from their employment. Yet this has yet to become a reality for millions of workers around the world. An estimated 337 million workplace accidents and 2.3 million deaths occur every year, with some 6,300 deaths per day, according to ILO data.
BACKGROUND
The ILO has adopted more than 40 international labour standards specifically dealing with OSH, as well as over 40 Codes of Practice.In June 2006, the 95th session of the International Labour Conference adopted Convention No. 187 concerning the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, which entered into force in February 2008.
A unique partnership between the International Labour Organization and International Finance Corporation (IFC), Better Work Jordan aims to improve compliance with international labour standards and national labour law while promoting the competitiveness of the Jordan’s apparel industry.
Venue: Le Royal Hotel, Amman - Jordan
For more information: Nisreen Bathish Abou Ragheb, Jordan Communications Officer, (e): [email protected], (m): +962 79 90 480 12