ILO calls for resilient OSH systems for future emergencies

"This will require investment in OSH infrastructure and integrating it into overall national crisis emergency preparedness and response plans, so that workers’ safety and health is protected, and the business continuity of enterprises is supported," said the report titled “Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises. Invest now in resilient OSH systems”.

The report examines risk prevention and management relating to the pandemic, and analyses other health and safety risks associated with the changing work arrangements arising from virus control measures. It outlines the critical roles played during the pandemic by OSH regulatory frameworks and institutions, compliance mechanisms, health and advisory services, data, research and training.

“There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment. Recovery and prevention will require better national policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks, properly integrated into crisis response frameworks,” said ILO director-general Guy Ryder.

“The second wave of the pandemic is sweeping across Bangladesh as we mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2021. Many hundreds of thousands of workers continue to work hard to keep the society and the economy functioning. The pandemic has clearly shown the importance of OSH in creating safe working environment and its impact on public health. The occupational safety and health of all workers in all industries must be a national priority,” said Tuomo Poutiainen, country director of ILO Bangladesh.

“The ILO has helped develop a national COVID-19 OSH guideline which was approved and published by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Bangladesh. The safety of workers and business sustainability can both be secured if the measures recommended in this guideline are implemented across all industries and workplaces,” Poutiainen added.

The report says small and micro-sized enterprises have often found it hard to meet official OSH requirements because many have lacked the resources to adapt to the threats posed by the pandemic. 

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)