EHPEA places emphasis on precautionary measures to avert occupational safety problems
World Day for Safety and Health 2019 was marked on Friday May 03, 2019 at national level with a tripartite panel discussion held at Blue Sky Hotel in Addis Ababa. The Day, marked for the 16th and 15th time at World and national levels respectively, has been themed: “Safety and Health and the Future of Work.” Representatives and panelists from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA), Employers and Employees Unions took part in the tripartite panel discussion.
During the discussion Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) Executive Director Tewodros Zewdie said Occupational Safety and Health is not only part and parcel of basic human rights but it is vital to sustainable growth and development. “The number of lives lost in connection with occupational safety is not insignificant. Problems occurring with occupational safety cause huge social and economic problems to employers and society, government and countries at large. The problem is yet unaddressed.”
Tewodros said it is often possible to avert mostoccupational safety-related problems through taking precautionary measures before they inflict enormous losses. Thus, focusing on the ways and means of prevention, every actor in the sector is expected to contribute part through introducing a strong follow up platform on attitudinal, procedural and standards management.
The Executive Director stressed on the indispensability of adequate awareness creation activity through strengthening Employer-Government-Labour tripartite relationships.
Indicating that the concerted effort made by the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) has made modest contribution to the national development drive, the sector has created numerous opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.
After the introduction of EHPEA Code of Practice – professional ethics — some 12 years ago, impressive achievements have been witnessed with respect to boosting the productivity and profitability of farms in the sector. With a view to applying the Code, EHPEA has been making relentless effort towards furthering occupational safety and related matters through capacity building trainings.
On the occasion, MoLSA Industry Occupational Safety and Health Team Leader Mesfin Yilma highlighted that utmost attention has to be given to occupational safety and labour health in higher education researches so that strides could be made in the area.
