The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ILO

  • UN calls for action against modern-day slavery

    UN calls for action against modern-day slavery

    The United Nations (UN) yesterday marked the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery with a call for concerted action to eradicate modern forms of slavery.

    “It is vital that we give special consideration to ending modern-day slavery and servitude which affects the poorest, most socially excluded groups. These groups include migrants, women, discriminated ethnic groups, minorities and indigenous peoples,” UN scribe, Ban Ki-moon said in his message for the Day, observed annually on December 2.

    The day marks the adoption by the General Assembly, the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others in 1949.

    The focus of the day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation.

    It also draws attention to the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

    According to the UN International Labour Organisation (ILO), 21 million women, men and children are trapped in slavery all over the world.

    Ban said last year, member countries made some progress in the efforts to combat slavery through stronger legislation and greater coordination.

    “Also, more and more businesses are working to ensure their activities do not cause or contribute to contemporary forms of slavery in the workplace and their supply chains.

    “I strongly support these initiatives, and urge all Member States to ratify the Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, develop robust and effective domestic legislation and boost enforcement on the ground. The partnership of the private sector in implementing these efforts is critical,” said the Secretary General.

    He also called for continued support for the UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

    Ban said it had helped to restore human rights and dignity to tens of thousands of children, women and men for over 20 years.

    Also, the UN General Assembly President, John Ashe, said in his message that the day serve as a reminder that modern slavery was a violation of a person’s basic human rights.

    “The majority of those who suffer are the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. Each year, hundreds of thousands of men, women and children are kidnapped and sold into bondage across international borders. Trafficking in persons is an issue of great global concern and affects almost all countries.

    “This inhumane activity continues to flourish owing to vast economic disparities between nations, increasing flows of labour and commodities across international borders and transnational organised criminal networks,’’ Ashe said.

    Ashe called on member states to eradicate all forms of slavery and boost initiatives that promote social inclusion and end all forms of discrimination.

    “We must promote and protect the rights of those most vulnerable within our societies and help to restore the dignity of victims of slavery,” he said.

  • ILO assures Fed Govt of support in fight against human trafficking

    ILO assures Fed Govt of support in fight against human trafficking

    The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has assured the Federal Government of its support to fight human trafficking.

    ILO’s Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liaison Office for Economic Community of West Africa States(ECOWAS), Mrs. Sina Chuma-Mkandwire, made this known while presenting eight different publications on human trafficking and forced labour to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, in Abuja.

    She said ILO would continue to collaborate with Nigeria on the implementation of the European Union’s (EU) funded project to enhance cooperation with the Federal Government of Nigeria on the fight against human trafficking from Nigeria to Europe under which different training manuals, reports and a code of conduct for private employment agencies were developed and printed.

    Recently, the Deputy Director-General of International Labour Organisation (ILO), Greg Vines, called on United Nation’s (UN) agencies to work towards eliminating human exploitation.

    Vines, who  addressed the Anti-Human Trafficking week in Switzerland, said the event was aimed at raising the awareness of the international community and the public on the different kinds of human exploitation that exist, such as forced labour, bonded labour and domestic servitude.

    He said: “Recognising our common goal to fighting human trafficking and human exploitation worldwide, the Geneva-based UN agencies must continue to work in the future to promote better coordination on these important issues, and fashion a coherent strategy that brings together our complementary approaches.”

    The ILO director explained that the scale and diverse nature of the problem, calls for comprehensive solutions, such as strict punishment of those who benefit from exploitation, saying that this must be complemented by good preventive measures.

    He said such measures include strengthening labour laws, providing access to skills, information and training, as well as improved victim care and compensation.

  • 15m children engage in child labour, says ILO

    15m children engage in child labour, says ILO

    About 15 million under-aged Nigerian children are engaged in child labour, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has said.

    Its Technical Adviser, Mr Krishna Kukkikate, said the figure is out of the 48 million, which engaged in child labour,  in sub-Sahara Africa.

    Kukkikate, told The Nation in Lagos, that while child labour continues to decline globally, it keeps increasing in Nigeria and other African countries.

    He said about 215 million children are engaged in child labour globally, while 115million out of the 215 million are involved in hazardous work. However, Asia and Pacific figures have been reduced by 96 million, while Latin America’s is down by 10 million, stressing that in the case of Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African countries, the figures keep increasing.

    He cited persistence poverty increase in the population, cultural and religion practices and illiteracy as some of the challenges causing child labour.

    He said about eight million of the child labourers are males, while about seven million are females, adding that they fall within the five- and 14-year-old bracket.

    Kukkikate said the vulnerable children work in the homes of a third party or employer, carrying out tasks, such as hawking, farming, cleaning, ironing, cooking, gardening, looking after other children and caring for the elderly.

    He said they are vulnerable to physical, psychological and sexual violence and abusive working conditions, while they are often isolated from their families, hidden from the public eye and become highly dependent on their employers. Besides, they are also mostly sexually exploited and abused, he said.

    His words: “The situation of many child domestic workers, not only constitutes a serious violation of child rights, but remains an obstacle to the achievement of many national and international development objectives. There are worsening situation of child labour in Nigeria just as in other African countries.

    “Child labour is a general problem in Nigeria and Africa. There are some countries in Africa where one out of four children, are in child labour and many of those are in child domestic work. We find this in mining, agriculture. When you try to remove child labour from one area, they tend to go to another area, and domestic workers fall into one of those.

    The ILO chief explained that most of its actions are area specific, and when you are addressing child labour, you are addressing it in all its different forms. It is in very extreme situation in some countries, and there has been some very good progress in others, he said.

    He called for concerted and joint action at the national and international levels to eliminate child labour in domestic work.

    “We need a robust legal framework to clearly identify, prevent and eliminate child labour in domestic work, and to provide decent working conditions to adolescents where they can legally work,” he said.

  • Enhance safety of migrant workers, ILO chief urges

    Enhance safety of migrant workers, ILO chief urges

    The Director-General, International Labour Oganisation (ILO) Guy Ryder has called member-states to step up their efforts to provide pre-departure information and training, regulate and monitor the enforcement of fair recruitment practices.

    He spoke while presenting a keynote address on youth migration and development at an event to International Youth Day

    He urged governments to ensure that their young migrants have access to adequate protection as part of the practical steps to be taken to enhance the safety of all migrant workers in the world

    He said: “Practical steps can be taken to enhance the safety of migrant workers and respect for their rights and dignity.

    “Countries of origin can step up their efforts to provide pre-departure information and training, regulate and monitor the enforcement of fair recruitment practices and ensure that their young migrants have access to adequate protection”

    According to the ILO boss, each year, many young women and men migrate in search of decent work and better living conditions.

    “This is a reality of our globalised economy. Differentiated demographic and income trends are adding to migratory dynamics and on the present course, the pressures will become even stronger”, he said.

    “It is on record that young migrants make up 27 million of the overall 214 million international migrants, but being the most mobile social group, young people constitute the bulk of annual migration movements. They largely move from one developing country to another, with South-to-North migration representing only a third of total international migration”, he said.

    “Today we acknowledge the positive contribution that millions of committed, talented and energetic young migrants make to development and the wellbeing of entire families and communities. When youth migration takes place in conditions of freedom, dignity, equity and security, it can boost economic and social development both of countries of origin and destination”, he said.

    “Unfortunately, many young migrants are easy prey and frequently get trapped in exploitative and abusive jobs, including forced labour. And too often, they, like other migrants become scapegoats for the shortcomings of economic and social systems,”he added.

    Ryder, who emphasised that the United Nations General Assembly High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development taking place in October, this year, is an important opportunity to advance towards a framework which can uphold the rights and interests of young migrant workers, however, said: “Let us never lose sight of the young women and men at the heart of the migration process.”

    “We must assume the collective responsibility of ensuring their safety and protection. Let us join forces to maximise the development benefits of youth labour migration while striving for balanced development that broadens the options for all,”he added.

  • NECA, Lagos Education ministry sign MoU

    The Lagos State Ministry of Education and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) have signed an agreement on construction trade training (plumbing, concreting, tiling and carpentry.)

    The new initiative driven by NECA and Industrial Training Fund (ITF), and which will begin at the Government Technical College (GTC) Ikorodu in October, is aimed at making graduates more relevant to the demands of employment and entrepreneurship in Lagos State, according to Director-General NECA, Mr Segun Osinowo.

    The collaboration, which will be under the umbrella of the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), will focus on upgrading facilities, provision of more equipment as well as integrating the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Entrepreneurship Development Module in the college curriculum.

    Osinowo noted that there had been a gap in skilled manpower, particularly in construction, resulting in the recruitment of quacks, which often has led to many collapsed buildings in the state.

    Also he said the situation has not helped by the procurement of skilled hands by developers and contractors from neigbouring West African countries to complete local projects.

    With the MoU however, Osinowo is optimistic Lagos State will produce an army of technical skill graduates that will upon graduation, set up construction/ building related enterprises.

    He said: The focus will be on producing these young graduates, highly skilled and supported to set up construction/building related enterprises as a way of creating employment and stemming youth restiveness.

    “We have since not been able to produce and meet the demand by construction companies for competent skilled workers. The skill deficit in these sectors is very evident with influx of foreign workers. The major challenge is therefore to produce these graduates for employment opportunity in NECA-member companies.

    Going down memory lane, Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye said the initiative was the fallout of the first Lagos State Enterprise Day, where NECA provided its facility despite the short notice.

    She said the choice of TCI Ikorodu is because the school, like its counterpart in Epe equally has ample land enough for construction site.

    Lauding NECA for a good relationship with the Lagos state government, she stressed that the initiative was not only for the present generation, but also future.

    “What we are doing is for today, tomorrow and indeed our won; This new collaboration will galvanise entrepreneurship in Lagos State. With this initiative, a move has commenced in earnest to designate our technical colleges into specialisation.

    The projects which fully kicks off in October, according to her, is designed between 12 and 18 months in each skill trade area that will accommodate 30 candidates at a go. She said the project will be highly rigorous, with candidates being screened via written and interview.

     

    The Director LASTVEB Mr Gasper said an industry approved curriculum would be deployed for the training leading to an international certification of City and Guilds Institute in the relevant trade areas.

     

  • ILO, UNAIDS target 5m workers with HIV/AIDS by 2015

    THE International Labour Organisation (ILO), supported by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has called on African governments to keep the fight against HIV/AIDS on the front burner.

    This, they noted, can be achieved by taking action to accelerate the eradication of the pandemic, especially through its new VCT@work initiative to reach five million workers with voluntary and confidential HIV counselling and testing by 2015.

    Speaking on the target, Director, ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS, Alice Ouedraogo, said VCT@work is the ILO’s contribution to achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6 on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

    It includes ensuring access to treatment for 15 million people living with HIV by 2015, as set out in the 2011 UN General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS.

    According to Ouedraogo, though about seven million people are eligible for treatment, they are not accessing it.

    Worse still, the majority of them do not know their HIV status.

    ‘’The workplace is an ideal entry point to generate a demand for, and increased access to, testing and treatment.

    “While standing firmly by the principle that there should be no HIV screening for employment, the ILO’s VCT@WORK initiative re-energises voluntary testing and emphasises the right of workers to know their status and access treatment when needed,” she said.

    She emphasised that the ILO’s employer and worker social partners will play a key role as agents of change to normalise and demystify HIV testing in the implementation of the initiative in the country.

    She noted that the launch of the initiative took place during the ILO International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, which brought together about 5,000 delegates, representing governments, employers and workers from the ILO’s 185 member states to discuss issues, including social protection in an ageing world, sustainable development and social dialogue.

    She noted that the rapid expansion of antiretroviral therapy in recent years has allowed eight million people living with HIV to access treatment, enabling them to live longer, healthier and more productive lives and remain part of the workforce.

    Speaking on the new initiative, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, said if young men and women are economically empowered, it will reduce their vulnerability to HIV in Nigeria.

    “There is a need to tackle the underlying factors that led to risk-taking behaviour and to incorporate HIV prevention efforts into a wider approach”, he said

    Also, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Bala Kagaima, said: “It is clear that the new ILO strategy will broaden actions to address HIV through national safety and health systems, labour inspection, working conditions and social security.

    “We do hope that the strategy will increase focus on women and girls, young people and workers in the informal economy, and it will target the transport, mining, commerce and tourism sectors, SMEs and cooperatives.

    “We call on the ILO to use its mobilising power to encourage five million working women and men to undertake voluntary HIV testing to meet the estimated target by 2015.”

  • Artistes, others walk against child labour

    Artistes, others walk against child labour

    This year’s World Day against Child Labour witnessed a marriage between the art and advocacy. Nigerian artistes joined their counterparts world wide in the global campaign against child abuse, EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

    Artistes in Lagos defied the rain to march against child labour.

    With the theme: No to child labour in domestic work, the walk was part of the global campaign against Child rights violation.

    The four-hour march was part of the activities marking this year’s World’s Day against Child Labour on June 12. It was organised by Mother Charity Ndidiamaka Foundation (MCNCF), a non-governmental organisation.

    The day was established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2002 to focus on child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it.

    The advocacy train, comprising celebrities, school pupils and their teachers, child advocates, the Police and many more, started from Volks area of Lagos. It stopped at the Ojo Police Station and ended at Ojo Local Government Secretariat where it wasreceived by the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Yinka Durosumi.

    Children, according to the local government chair, are a people’s heritage and should be protected. He said his administration would intensify its campaign against all forms of child rights violation with special attention on child labour.

    The presence of celebrities from the movie industry and the dramatic display on the road by the pupils added spice to the walk. They screamed, jumped and performed all sorts of acrobatic display, while calling on the society and government to ensure that their rights are properly protected. The kids’ passionate march and outburst drew attention of passersby and residents. Some peeped from their windows; others watched from their balcony while some others from the roadside, probably wondering what was going on.

    The movie stars not only joined their voices with that of others to say No to child labour in domestic work!, they promised to bring the issue to the centre stage. The celebrities included former Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) President, Segun Arinze; award-winning producer, Chico Ejiro; Collins Onwochei; Benita Nzeribe and Florence Onuma, among others.

    “We have a responsibility to protect our children,” Ejiro said, “And that is why we are joining our voices in the campaign. And we are saying: No to child labour in domestic work! They are future lets protect them.”

    Arinze urged the children to strive for excellence, noting that that would help prevent them from being put in a vulnerable spot where their rights can be trampled upon.

    The children’s involvement in the campaign alongside the celebrities, child rights advocate and MCNCF founder, Elochukwu Charity Ndidiamaka, said was deliberate. According to her, “no one can understand the plight of a child as they would”. While saying she is not against a child’s participation in household chores, she urged parents to give their children proper home-training.

    She added that children go through all sorts of abuse daily, urging that parents to ensure that such acts are done away with else face the strong arm of the law. In her view, only “a strong and sustain global movement” is needed for the scourge of child labour to be completely eradicated.

    Ndidiamaka said: “Every child has the right to education and good life. This is not the time for complacency. Today, we are joining our voices to the global campaign against child rights violation. It also marks the beginning of our campaign to dissuade parents/guardians from sending their children to the streets to sell, hawk and work for money. To those who send their young maids/wards out to such demeaning errands while their mates are in school, We want to remind you that this is against the Child’s Right Act; and it is a punishable offence. Every child has a potential and talent that needs to be discovered, harnessed and tapped only when the child is given the opportunity to do what he/she likes to do.

    “Children face a lot of challenges at home without the knowledge of their parents and guardians. And because they are usually not given the confidence to talk, they prefer to keep quiet. This is the reason I have presented myself to be an advocate and friend to these children; to give them the confidence to talk and help them in times of trials. And over the years, our foundation has been involved in fighting and defending the rights of abused children. Yet, there is still so much more to be done.”

    Ndidiamaka urged the authorities to ensure the rights of the Nigerian child are adequately protected, while linking the high rate of crime and immorality to parents’ neglect in giving their wards proper upbringing.

    “The kind of children we raise today will determine the kind of world we have tomorrow. Nigeria is particularly suffering from her neglect of proper upbringing of children. Kidnapping, armed robbery, suicide bombing and the high rate of immorality today are traceable to this. Together I believe with your support we can keep giving children a meaningful life,” she said.

    The Police also made fresh commitment to ensuring the protection of the rights of children. The DPO of Ojo Police Station, SP M.A Yusuf, urged the children and members of the public to be at alert and report any case of child rights violations to the police, adding that his men will continue to ensure that the rights of the children in the area are adequately protected.

    Also, MCNCF held a seminar on last Thursday to create awareness on the child rights protection. It saw in attendance, among other dignitaries, Hon Frank Amah JP, Ebele Nwuzor and members a sister organisation, the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria (DSFN) led by its National President, Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria (DSFN), Mrs Rose Mordi.

  • Experts lament ILO’s projected 208m unemployment rate

    Experts lament ILO’s projected 208m unemployment rate

    Experts are ill-at ease over the already gloomy unemployment situation across the globe judging by the new report released by the International Labour Organisation, ILO, which indicates that the number of unemployed persons in the world could rise to 208 million by 2015.

    According to the World of Work report released in Geneva, Switzerland, the ILO revealed that global unemployment was expected to hit 208 million in 2015, a rise from the current 200 million unemployed people across the world.

    The report also added that “long-standing labour market imbalances, such as high levels of labour market informality in developing countries and long-term unemployment in advanced economies, will remain acute.”

    In Nigeria where unemployment is on the increase, the ILO suggested that to check the trend, countries could benefit from well-designed social protection and a boost of labour income.

    The ILO report stated that “too low a level reduces the relevance of minimum wages; too high a level runs the risk of firms refusing to comply. Importantly, the report highlights the point that regular updates and the engagement of workers’ and employers’ organisations in minimum wage setting are crucial to leveraging the benefits of minimum wages and ensuring that they pave the way for decent work opportunities.”

    Tagged: “Repairing the economic and social fabric”, the report recommended “Investment in key infrastructure projects, along with measures to facilitate the transition to formal employment and to expand well-crafted social protection and minimum wages that would help to further that objective.”

    The report added that “Such policies would not only boost growth now, but would also consolidate the emergence of a large and growing middle-income group –which is essential for ensuring genuinely autonomous economic growth.”

    Relating minimum wage to unemployment, the ILO report stated that “About half of the 151 countries for which data are available do not have a comprehensive system of minimum wages. And, in those countries where minimum wage legislation does exist, stronger action is often needed to improve compliance.”

    Reacting to the report, Dr. Abel Umeh, an economist, said, the employment situation is a serious cause for concern.

    On the implication on the nation’s economy, Umeh said, “It is certain that the country is not prepared for the worst. You can be sure that the government will pay scant regard to this whole report. In saner climes, such report will galvanise them to action but it is the reverse here.”

    Echoing similar sentiments, Tayo Olapade, a financial analyst, noted that the ILO’s projection on unemployment should be a wake-up call to government at all levels to see how to mitigate the unemployment situation in the country ahead of the set date.

    “Even without the ILO projection what we are already contending with is a huge crisis if you consider the spate of youthful unrest and terrorism threat in different parts of the country. So the government can only fail to heed the call at its own peril,” Olapade stressed.

  • ‘How to prevent occupational hazards’

    ‘How to prevent occupational hazards’

    The global workforce has been estimated to be 2.8 billion of the world’s population. Yet, in a recent survey by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), about 2.3 million people die annually due to work-related diseases. How can we safeguard the health of the Nigerian worker? This was the point of discussion at a stakeholders’ forum held to commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

    The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a day set aside by ILO to remember victims of work-related hazards and how best to safeguard the health of workers worldwide through advocacy, enlightenment campaigns and policy formulation.

    The programme was held at the Tom Associates Training Centre in Lagos with the theme: ‘’The Prevention of Occupational Diseases.’’

    In a welcome remark, the National Coordinator of Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (SAEF), Kadiri Shamusideen, said occupational safety should form a key aspect of our corporate culture. He promised that SAEF would continue to partner other organisations to assure safety and health of the Nigerian worker.

    Delivering a lecture entitled The Prevention of Occupational Diseases, National Secretary of Safety in Occupational and Environmental Health Practitioners of Nigeria (SOEHPON), Dr Okon Agiba, called for preventive and interventionist programmes for managing occupational health hazards in the country. He noted that this can be achieved through pre-employment medical evaluation, integration of ergonomics into the design of new projects by engineers, and availability of medical emergency response programmes. He added: ‘’There must be effective collaboration among occupational and environmental health physicians, safety officers, academics and researchers for the delivery of optimal occupational health services to workers in Nigeria.’’

    Speaking on the same theme, First-Aid expert and Managing Director of Rely Supply Limited, Mrs. Fayo Williams lamented that despite the avalanche of policies on job creation, occupational safety has not been given appropriate attention. She advised policy-makers to shift their focus to occupational safety. She said: ‘’Employers need to improve the level of compliance to occupational safety and health standards. We need to have good working conditions for our workforce. We need local health facilities like first aid and relief packages for workers who are sick or injured and a proper occupational disaster management system.’’ While calling on governments and stakeholders to speed up legislation on occupational health, she added that our factory laws need to be reviewed to reflect current realities.

    Executive Director of SAEF, Jamiu Badmus commended the recent Corporate Manslaughter Law and urged the Federal Government, lawmakers and stakeholders to ensure a speedy passage of the new bill on occupational health. This, according to him, would revolutionise corporate health management in Nigeria.

    In her address, representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Mrs. T. Salami advised individuals to make safety a key element in their daily practices. She said: ‘’Safety must be made a habit and part of our daily culture. This includes our handling of home appliances and respect for conventional safety instructions.’’

    While explaining the dynamics and relevance of the 2010 Compensation Law to the Nigerian worker, Director-General of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Mrs. Toyin Ogwara pledged the readiness and commitment of the agency to compensate injured workers, irrespective of who caused the industrial accident. She, however, urged participants to make safety their watchword.

    On his part, occupational health and safety consultant, Ehin Iden said organisational policies need to be tailored towards occupational safety and health of employees. He advised human resources managers to be wary of the medical state of their recruits to reduce health liabilities of their organisations. He added: ‘’ A lot of organisations are coming into the country courtesy of foreign direct investment effort by government. That is remarkable. But we must ensure we protect Nigerians who work for these corporations.’’

    During the programme, awards were presented to deserving individuals and organisations. A special award of excellence was conferred on Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State for his giant strides in making Lagos safe for all. Other recipients were the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris; Nigeria Red Cross Society; Lagos State Driving Institute; Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF); Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON); National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN); Society of Occupational Health Organisation of Nigeria (SOHON) and Mrs. Fayo Williams.

    An occupational safety outfit, Hybrid Consulting offered free training opportunities for three participants through a raffle draw. They included Joshua Jewola who won NEBOSH Oil and Gas Training; Sanni Anibire (NEBOSH International General Certificate) and Tayo Badmus (Environmental Management Training), alongside Olusegun Ogunsanwo and Semiu Adesina both from the Lagos State Fire Service. In his acceptance remark, Tayo, a youth corps member serving in Lagos State, thanked organisers of the event, even as he pledged to maximise the opportunity.

    In a chat with Newsextra, a participant Dolapo Adeosun said the programme exposed her to the realities of corporate hazards and the role of the employee in occupational health and safety. ‘’Today, I learnt that the security of my health as an employee does not lay solely in the hands of my employers. Employee safety is a right and never a privilege. So, I have a role to play by seeking redress whenever my rights are trampled upon,’’ she said.

  • ‘How to prevent occupational hazards’

    ‘How to prevent occupational hazards’

    The global workforce has been estimated to be 2.8 billion of the world’s population. Yet, in a recent survey by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), about 2.3 million people die annually due to work-related diseases. How can we safeguard the health of the Nigerian worker? This was the point of discussion at a stakeholders’ forum held to commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

    The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a day set aside by ILO to remember victims of work-related hazards and how best to safeguard the health of workers worldwide through advocacy, enlightenment campaigns and policy formulation.

    The programme was held at the Tom Associates Training Centre in Lagos with the theme: ‘’The Prevention of Occupational Diseases.’’

    In a welcome remark, the National Coordinator of Safety Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (SAEF), Kadiri Shamusideen, said occupational safety should form a key aspect of our corporate culture. He promised that SAEF would continue to partner other organisations to assure safety and health of the Nigerian worker.

    Delivering a lecture entitled The Prevention of Occupational Diseases, National Secretary of Safety in Occupational and Environmental Health Practitioners of Nigeria (SOEHPON), Dr Okon Agiba, called for preventive and interventionist programmes for managing occupational health hazards in the country. He noted that this can be achieved through pre-employment medical evaluation, integration of ergonomics into the design of new projects by engineers, and availability of medical emergency response programmes. He added: ‘’There must be effective collaboration among occupational and environmental health physicians, safety officers, academics and researchers for the delivery of optimal occupational health services to workers in Nigeria.’’

    Speaking on the same theme, First-Aid expert and Managing Director of Rely Supply Limited, Mrs. Fayo Williams lamented that despite the avalanche of policies on job creation, occupational safety has not been given appropriate attention. She advised policy-makers to shift their focus to occupational safety. She said: ‘’Employers need to improve the level of compliance to occupational safety and health standards. We need to have good working conditions for our workforce. We need local health facilities like first aid and relief packages for workers who are sick or injured and a proper occupational disaster management system.’’ While calling on governments and stakeholders to speed up legislation on occupational health, she added that our factory laws need to be reviewed to reflect current realities.

    Executive Director of SAEF, Jamiu Badmus commended the recent Corporate Manslaughter Law and urged the Federal Government, lawmakers and stakeholders to ensure a speedy passage of the new bill on occupational health. This, according to him, would revolutionise corporate health management in Nigeria.

    In her address, representative of the Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Mrs. T. Salami advised individuals to make safety a key element in their daily practices. She said: ‘’Safety must be made a habit and part of our daily culture. This includes our handling of home appliances and respect for conventional safety instructions.’’

    While explaining the dynamics and relevance of the 2010 Compensation Law to the Nigerian worker, Director-General of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Mrs. Toyin Ogwara pledged the readiness and commitment of the agency to compensate injured workers, irrespective of who caused the industrial accident. She, however, urged participants to make safety their watchword.

    On his part, occupational health and safety consultant, Ehin Iden said organisational policies need to be tailored towards occupational safety and health of employees. He advised human resources managers to be wary of the medical state of their recruits to reduce health liabilities of their organisations. He added: ‘’ A lot of organisations are coming into the country courtesy of foreign direct investment effort by government. That is remarkable. But we must ensure we protect Nigerians who work for these corporations.’’

    During the programme, awards were presented to deserving individuals and organisations. A special award of excellence was conferred on Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State for his giant strides in making Lagos safe for all. Other recipients were the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris; Nigeria Red Cross Society; Lagos State Driving Institute; Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF); Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON); National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN); Society of Occupational Health Organisation of Nigeria (SOHON) and Mrs. Fayo Williams.

    An occupational safety outfit, Hybrid Consulting offered free training opportunities for three participants through a raffle draw. They included Joshua Jewola who won NEBOSH Oil and Gas Training; Sanni Anibire (NEBOSH International General Certificate) and Tayo Badmus (Environmental Management Training), alongside Olusegun Ogunsanwo and Semiu Adesina both from the Lagos State Fire Service. In his acceptance remark, Tayo, a youth corps member serving in Lagos State, thanked organisers of the event, even as he pledged to maximise the opportunity.

    In a chat with Newsextra, a participant Dolapo Adeosun said the programme exposed her to the realities of corporate hazards and the role of the employee in occupational health and safety. ‘’Today, I learnt that the security of my health as an employee does not lay solely in the hands of my employers. Employee safety is a right and never a privilege. So, I have a role to play by seeking redress whenever my rights are trampled upon,’’ she said.