Africa-Press – Namibia. AT least 130 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from different economic sectors in the Erongo Region have received training on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation (MLREC). The training was part of the preliminary activity for the commemoration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work that took place in Walvis Bay on 26 April 2023.
The first of its kind, the training aimed to improve occupational safety and health for SMEs, and to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills in order to manage health and safety hazards at the workplace. The training initiative also aimed to capacitate SMEs on the benefits of occupational safety and health, SME roles in promoting occupational safety and health, the importance of identifying hazards, and implementing occupational safety and health measures to prevent or minimize work-related accidents and diseases, just to mention a few.
Lydia Indomo, the Acting Executive Director within the Ministry of Labour, noted that SMEs play a significant role in economic growth and employment creation, hence the need to prioritize OSH in their business operations.
“The Ministry has noted SMEs’ poor compliance with OSH legislations, and has at the same time acknowledged the challenges SMEs encounter in implementing occupational safety and health measures, resulting in a higher risk of workplace accidents and injuries. Thus, it would be irresponsible of this Ministry to identify this shortcoming and not take appropriate action. More similar training will follow in different parts of the country, with more focus on SMEs. As part of the Occupational Safety and Health Policy that was launched in December 2021, the Ministry is required to offer OSH-related training to different stakeholders,” Indombo said.
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