Published by the government of Zimbabwe
3 October 2008
Harare — GOVERNMENT will not allow employers to run businesses without proper safety and health management systems, the Minister of Labour, Public Service and Social Welfare, Cde Nicholas Goche, has said.
In a speech read on his behalf by the secretary for his ministry Mr Lancaster Museka at a conference on occupational health and safety in Harare yesterday, Cde Goche said the Government values the promotion of health and safety in the work environment.
He said occupational health and safety should be integrated into the day-to-day business management in every workplace.
"Accidents, especially crippling ones and fatalities, cause far-reaching grievous social harm and must be prevented.
"It is everyone's responsibility to make sure we do not waste labour through occupational injuries and fatalities.
"Accidents make products expensive and uncompetitive, hence it is a corporate responsibility to manage safety and health," he said.
Cde Goche said if implemented, occupational health and safety management systems would significantly reduce injuries, diseases and fatalities in the workplace.
He said it was imperative that stakeholders continue to advise each other on the need to rededicate themselves to the creation of hazard-free work environments and the need for employers and employees to place safety and health protection at workplaces high on the agenda.
"Every nation is built on its workers and all forms of work must be rendered safe first before production takes place.
"Employers, employees and Government, through the National Social Security Authority, are equally important in rendering the work environments safe and healthy.
"The conference, therefore, marks a significant milestone in efforts to promote the prevention of occupational injuries and diseases as it stands to define the national activities and experiences in the work environment with special emphasis on management of occupational risk, including HIV and Aids," he said.
Cde Goche said it was sad to note that 6 117 injuries and 72 fatalities were recorded from all workplaces last year compared to 6 369 injuries and 81 fatalities the previous year.
"Unfortunately, we have already experienced 2 768 injuries with 62 fatalities up to end of August this year. Of these fatalities, 10 were from the mining sector and eight at factories.
"Other forms of employment have contributed 44 fatalities, which are neither mining nor factories and works.
"This is already too high for an economy which is not operating at full capacity," he said.
To achieve a decent working environment for employees, Cde Goche said, there was need for emphasis in developing a strong and strategic tripartite bond between Government, employers and employees to ensure that a safe, healthy and decent work environment prevails in the economy.
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