Regional cooperation to strengthen occupational safety and health
Governments, employers and workers from 10 ASEAN member States and Pacific Island partners gathered in Manila to raise safety and health standards in the region.
15 February 2015
By: Alexander Kucharski, Employment Policy and Statistics Intern
The ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network (ASEAN-OSHNET) in collaboration with the ILO/ Korea Partnership Programme organized a ‘Training-of-Trainers’ Workshop on Risk Assessment, Control and Management: Key Components of an Occupational Safety and Health Management System held on 10 to 12 February 2015.
The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of authorities and social partners in the key components of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) systems to ensure that workers across the region enjoy and healthy and safe workplace.
The attendees of the workshop included tripartite representatives from government and workers’ and employers’ organizations from the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam) as well as Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. The participants shared their experiences and best practices in risk assessment, control and management measures also focusing on OSH in small and medium enterprises, vulnerable employment and the informal economy.
Occupational Safety and Health systems not only have a direct effect on workers but also on the economy as a whole. "By taking a close look at working conditions and productivity, we also contribute to the goal of reducing poverty and achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in the region," said Lawrence Jeff Johnson, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines.
The need for increasing efforts in strengthening OSH systems was also stressed by Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz of the Department of Labor and Employment. The Secretary stated that "the conduct of this trainers’ workshop comes at a most auspicious time as it will address the need to intensify the advocacy to have a safe and healthy working environment not only in our respective countries but in in entire ASEAN region including our pacific island partners of Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea."
Since its founding, the ILO has been committed to promoting and supporting Occupational Safety and Health. The ILO Country Office for the Philippines has been working with the government to enhance the labour inspection system and with workers’ and employers’ organizations to build the capacity to deliver OSH services to their members. The ILO has also ensured integration of safety and health into other initiatives such as skills development, enterprise development and post-disaster response.
The ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network (ASEAN-OSHNET) in collaboration with the ILO/ Korea Partnership Programme organized a ‘Training-of-Trainers’ Workshop on Risk Assessment, Control and Management: Key Components of an Occupational Safety and Health Management System held on 10 to 12 February 2015.
The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of authorities and social partners in the key components of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) systems to ensure that workers across the region enjoy and healthy and safe workplace.
The attendees of the workshop included tripartite representatives from government and workers’ and employers’ organizations from the 10 ASEAN countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam) as well as Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea. The participants shared their experiences and best practices in risk assessment, control and management measures also focusing on OSH in small and medium enterprises, vulnerable employment and the informal economy.
Occupational Safety and Health systems not only have a direct effect on workers but also on the economy as a whole. "By taking a close look at working conditions and productivity, we also contribute to the goal of reducing poverty and achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in the region," said Lawrence Jeff Johnson, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines.
The need for increasing efforts in strengthening OSH systems was also stressed by Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz of the Department of Labor and Employment. The Secretary stated that "the conduct of this trainers’ workshop comes at a most auspicious time as it will address the need to intensify the advocacy to have a safe and healthy working environment not only in our respective countries but in in entire ASEAN region including our pacific island partners of Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea."
Since its founding, the ILO has been committed to promoting and supporting Occupational Safety and Health. The ILO Country Office for the Philippines has been working with the government to enhance the labour inspection system and with workers’ and employers’ organizations to build the capacity to deliver OSH services to their members. The ILO has also ensured integration of safety and health into other initiatives such as skills development, enterprise development and post-disaster response.