day rally
4 May 2007
The under-reportage of workplace accidents is the greatest challenge facing
the Department of Labour, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana told a rally in
Rustenburg, North West province today (Friday).
Minister Mdladlana was addressing a gathering to mark the World Day for
Safety and Health at Work in the town's Olympia Stadium.
"The battle for ensuring that all accidents occurring at work are reported
must not be taken lightly. I therefore call on unions to join me in ensuring
that we achieve that goal."
"We should ensure that in every workplace there is a health and safety
committee. If you do not have it, how are you going to ensure that accidents
don't happen? Who is going to be our eyes and ears if we do not have health and
safety committees?" he asked.
The Minister said: "For every 100 workers, we need one health and safety
representative as failure to do so would warrant a red card to the offending
party."
He urged workers to refuse to work in dangerous conditions. "Workers are
entitled to be provided with protective clothing and equipment."
The Minister said he deplored the continued harassment of the Department's
inspectors by some employers.
Franklin Muchiri, International Labour Organisation (ILO) specialist said
2,2 million workers die every year globally due to workplace accidents. He said
more than 270 million workers get injured worldwide due to the same phenomenon.
This, according to him, costs four percent in lost gross domestic product.
Vick van Vuuren of Business Unity South Africa said National Economic and
Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) social partners should intensify the
health and safety accord signed in 2002 which is aimed at ensuring that health
and safety in the workplace "becomes a way of life."
Speakers from the National Council of Trade Unions, the Federation of Trade
Unions of South Africa and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu)
recommitted themselves to the ILO convention of ensuring healthy and safe
working environment as part of the decent work agenda.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
4 May 2007
