Labour inspectors would have to be retrained not only on how to identify hazards associated with some of the technologies that are going to be used with the proliferation of green jobs, but also to enable them to educate workers about the risks associated with the greening process.
This is one of the recommendations from the committee on Sustainable Development, one of the committees of the 102nd International Labour Conference meeting in Geneva, Switzerland this week.
In response to this recommendation, the Department of Labour’s Chief Inspector, Mr Thobile Lamati, said the department was already making arrangements for the retraining of inspectors.
“We will be training our inspectors and workers on the risks posed by the transition from fossil fuel to renewables. Sustainable development, decent work and green jobs guarantees the occupational health and safety of workers,” Lamati said.
We are already in the process of looking at the policy implications of this economic shift. It is important, where necessary, that we ensure the greening processes are properly regulated to give effect to the decent work country objectives,” he said.
The committee acknowledged that the transition to sustainable development and green jobs will cause shifts in volumes, composition and quality of employment across sectors. Caution should therefore be exercised during the navigation to a greener economy. Given the vulnerability of workers in this sector, it was also felt that there is a need for strengthening of social protection to eliminate or reduce worker vulnerability.
Other committees which have been hard at work since the 6th of June, include the Committees on New Demographic context; Application of Standards and on the recurrent discussion on social dialogues.
The Minister of Labour, Mrs Mildred Oliphant is also attending the conference and is expected to address the National Assembly on Wednesday, the 13th of June.
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