Ministry of Labour & Social Security

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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles is encouraging all businesses to become part of the Ministry's Voluntary Compliance Programme for Occupational Safety and Health, HIV and AIDS.

The Minister, who made the appeal in today's World Day for Health and Safety at Work message, commended all those enterprises that have enrolled in the programme, while pointing out that the process should be one of a partnership. "We want to be your partner towards the achievement of this level of compliance, as we are ready to assist you in this regard," he said.

The Voluntary Compliance Programme is one of the measures being implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to get organizations to voluntarily join the International Labour Organization (ILO) HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Programme, before the passage of the Occupational, Safety and Health (OSH) Act.

Enterprises that enroll in the voluntary compliance programme will receive guidance and support materials to assist them to develop and implement Occupational, Safety and Health (OSH) and HIV/AIDS programmes.

The major objective of World Day for Safety and Health at Work is to focus international attention on the issue of safe work and to reduce loss of life.

Mr. Charles said that if such an objective is to be achieved, government agencies, employers and workers would have to come together to highlight the need for safe and healthy workplaces, as "decent work can only be safe work."

The Minister noted that occupational safety and health must not only be an important element in the day-to-day activities of any organization, but also a catalyst for improved performance and productivity.

Since the start of the year, there have been three fatalities within the workplace with many workers sustaining injuries on the job.

According to Mr. Charles, the onus must therefore be on both the employees and the employers to ensure that their working environment is safe and healthy. "We believe that both employers and workers have an obligation to ensure the realization of this goal and the government is prepared to spare no efforts towards the achievement of this objective," he said.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is being held this year under the theme: 'Managing Risk in the Work Environment; My Life, My Work, My Safe Work'.

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