Africa-Press – Lesotho. Minister of Labour and Employment Hon. Moshe Leoma inaugurated the National Advisory Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) which is a council that will
protect occupational safety, health and welfare of workers. The committee members were sworn on Wednesday. Lesotho Labour Council workers’ representative Koali Koali, who is also part of the new
NACOSH committee, explained that NACOSH is one of the important committees in the country within the department of workers. He said they promise to support
and give advices to the Minister of Labour and Employment about the issues concerning health, safety and welfare of workers. “We are all aware that COVID-19
affected most workers’ safety and welfare, therefore it is time for us to act upon such effects,” he said. He further said there are also issues of violence
and sexual harassment in workplaces and these are the issues that NACOSH has to handle. Koali said this committee is going to work very hard to ensure that there are
strategies in place that guide the Minister towards achieving their goal. He emphasized that the committee has been formed under the labour code order 1992
Section 46 (1), which stipulates that for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to the Minister and the National Advisory Committee on Labour (NACOLA) in respect of matters affecting the safety, health and welfare of
persons at work, or any other persons whose safety, health and welfare may be affected by work activities, the Minister shall appoint NACOSH hereinafter
referred to as the council. The composition of the council is a chairperson, four members representing employers, four members representing employees and
two members having a wide experience in occupational safety, health and welfare. Association of Lesotho Employers and Business Employers representative Hlalele Tšolo said
they really appreciate being tasked with this important obligation of assisting and advising the Minister on issues that affect the health and safety of
persons at work as well as others whose health, safety and welfare may be affected by work related activities. He further said among the guidelines that they are going to introduce going
forward, they have to include those that address COVID-19 directly, noting that they appreciate to have been nominated to be part of this council and they
devote nothing but their best efforts in executing their mandate in this council. Meanwhile, Leoma encouraged the incoming members to take the baton from the old Council
and continue the work that was in progress and implement it with the same enthusiasm, ensuring safety, health and welfare in all sectors. He further said it is important to note that NACOSH is the statutory tripartite
body, adding that it is also entrusted to review and advise the Minister and NACOLA on the operation of any legislation or regulations relating to employees’ health, safety and welfare at work.
He said Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is a field that is aimed at the prevention of accidents and ill-health, protection of employers and workers as
well as assurance of their welfare. Leoma added that workplace accidents do not only cause physical and emotional suffering but also have a negative impact in
the economy of the country. He said to achieve their objective of prevention and protection, they are supposed to carry out OSH activities or events to
raise awareness on its importance. If done effectively, this campaign can contribute to combat a number of unwarranted work related health diseases and
result in a decrease in work related injuries. He said most importantly, they need to promote safety culture whereby everyone in the workplace is expected to have a stake in OSH through well-defined OSH strategies and management systems.
