The Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) funded Zantchito Skills for Jobs Programme has launched Malawi’s first National Occupational Safety and Health Policy.
Speaking during the launch on Tuesday, 22 July at Sunbird Capital hotel in Lilongwe, the Minister of Labour, Honourable Peter Dimba, who was also the guest of honour, described this as a significant milestone towards the prevention of work- related accidents and diseases.
The Minister, Honourable Peter Dimba, MP launching the National OSH Policy
“The Government’s agenda is to make sure that every worker is protected at a workplace in line with the human capital development enabler, which is crucial for the realisation of Malawi 2063,” said Dimba.
The policy was developed by the Ministry of Labour with financial and technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and EU funded Zantchito Skills for Jobs Programme and in consultations with social partners and other Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) stakeholders. It aims to provide for the management of occupational safety and health in the country in order to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of, linked with or occurring in the course of work, by minimising the hazards inherent in the working environment.
Speaking during the launch ceremony the EU Delegation to Malawi’s Chargé d’Affaires, Ms. Else Boonstra called for continued collaboration among the Government, social partners and other OSH stakeholders to ensure a successful implementation of the policy.
Chargé d’Affaires at the EU Delegation to Malawi, Ms. Else Boonstra, delivering her remarks and receiving the OSH Policy
“The effective prevention of occupational accidents and diseases requires sustained commitment to foster nationwide cooperation, collaboration, mutual learning and networking to promote Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) at all workplaces in Malawi.” commented Boonstra.
The launch was held under a befitting theme, “Promoting Occupational Safety and Health – Towards Vision Zero”. Eighty nine per cent of the workforce in Malawi is in the informal sector, where occupational safety and health hazards and risks are common. The policy lays a foundation for promotion of OSH at all workplaces in Malawi including the SMEs and the informal sectors.
The launch brought together the Government and its social partners and other key OSH stakeholders that include ILO and the EU. Employers Consultative Assembly of Malawi (ECAM) and Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) commended the Government for launching the much awaited policy and asserted their support and commitment to ensure its effective implementation at workplaces. They also called upon the Government to expedite the review process of the Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act and to operationalise the workers’ compensation fund.
Among other guiding principles, the policy is championing the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases through the promotion of a preventive safety culture, inclusiveness, continuous improvement, and reporting of work related accidents and diseases to ensure that workers receive fair compensation.
