Africa-Press – Botswana. A safe and healthy work environment is essential for the well being of the workforce, as a key driver of productivity and socio-economic growth.
This was said by the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware when tabling the motion on National Occupational Safety and Health Policy (OSH Policy) before parliament on Monday.
Minister Mokgware said the development of the OSH Policy, aimed at developing an internationally competitive workforce for the overall productivity of the nation, commenced in 2012 with technical and financial assistance from the International Labour Organisation.
He said the draft policy was submitted to Cabinet, which approved it to be presented to Parliament.
Maj. Gen expressed concern that due to the fragmented pieces of legislation and lack of coordination among various government authorities, not all work entities or workplaces in the formal economic sector were adequately covered by the occupational health and safety systems.
“This gap leaves many workplaces and sectors vulnerable, including public and government agencies’ administration, commercial premises, activities on public roads, private households and informal sectors,” he said.
For that reason, he said once the policy was developed, it would help address the deficiencies and extend the scope of occupational safety and health inspections and enforcement to include all spheres of work within the economy.
By doing so, the minister said this would ensure every worker, regardless of their place of employment, benefited from the protection and standards necessary for their safety and health.
“This will be achieved by incorporating the concepts of occupational safety and health as a fundamental principle and right at work,” he added.
The policy, Minister Mokgware said, was also essential, as it would ensure that the right to a safe and healthy working environment was respected at all levels, across all sectors of the economy, where government, employers and workers participated in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of unified rights, responsibilities and duties.
“It is imperative that we take decisive steps to minimise occupational acquired diseases and injuries in our workplaces, which currently exert a heavy toll on productivity, particularly in developing and transitional economies,” he said.
Addressing these issues head-on, he said would also reduce workers’ vulnerability to workplace hazards and risks, thereby creating a safer and more productive environment for all.
Furthermore, he said the OSH policy emphasised a health and wellness system that focused on preventive measures that were effective and would require employers to implement systems that limited employees’ exposure to workplace hazards.
Other objectives of the policy, he said were to promote and maintain workers’ health and working capacity for sustainable economic growth and development, improve the working environment to make it conducive to safety and health and develop a work organisation and work cultures that support health and safety at work.
“By focusing on these objectives, the country will build a fast, healthier and more productive workforce, driving our nation towards a brighter and more prosperous future,” he said.
Additionally, the minister said creating safer workplaces could also help prevent accidents and illnesses, thereby protecting the workers as the most valuable assets. “In doing so, we promote a positive social climate, ensure smooth operations and enhance productivity of our enterprises,” he added.
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