Kathmandu, Apr. 27
The International Labour Organisation (ILO)
has said that while the protection of workers against sickness, diseases and
injuries related to their work environment has been central issue for it since
a century ago, occupational safety and health standards have been more relevant
during the COVID-19 crisis.
"From the onset of the COVID-19
crisis, the principles contained in ILO Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
standards have shown to be more relevant than ever, especially the principles
of prevention," Nepal Country Director of the ILO Dr. Richard Howard said
in an interaction with journalists the other day on the eve of the World Day
for Safety and Health at Work.
The ILO had begun to observe the Day in
order to stress the prevention of accidents and diseases at work places.
"The annual World Day for Safety and
health at Work on April 28 promotes the prevention of occupational accidents
and diseases globally," said the ILO Nepal Office.
Stating safe and healthy working conditions
are fundamental for decent work and its significance has been further amplified
by the pandemic, the international labour body maintained that in Nepal's
context, it is urgent that the government takes firm steps in ratifying the ILO
Convention 155 so that the country has sound and resilient OSH system in place.
"It would support the country to build
capacity to face future emergencies and protect workers' safety and health,
while supporting the survival and business continuity of enterprises," the
ILO said in a statement.
The Convention 155 on OSH provides for the
adoption of coherent national occupational safety and health policy, as well as
action to be taken by governments and within enterprises to promote
occupational safety and health to improve working conditions. It defines the
responsibilities of the government and employers, and the rights of workers.
Meanwhile, the government is considering
the adoption of the OSH Convention. Parliament's Labour and International
Relations Committee is looking into the case.
Nepal doesn't have exclusive legislation on
OSH. However, Labour Rule, 2018 encourages developing OSH policy for each
workplace with the inclusion of issue like safety preparedness plan, worker's
health, machine operation and use of hazardous substances. It directs the
employers to be responsible towards the workers during accidents and injuries
utilising emergency prepared and evacuations.
Meanwhile, ILO in a statement on Tuesday said
that on the World Day, countries need to put in place sound and resilient
occupational safety and health systems that would minimise the risk for
everyone in the word of work in the event of future health emergency.
"This will require investment in OSH
infrastructure and integrating it into overall national crisis emergency
preparedness and response plans, so that workers' safety and health are
protected, and the business continuity of enterprises is supported," read
the statement issued from Geneva.
A report 'Anticipate, prepare and respond
to crises. Invest now in resilient OSH systems' published on the occasion has
analysed the health concerns arising from the dramatic increase in teleworking
during the pandemic.
"While teleworking has been essential
in limiting the spread of the virus, maintaining jobs and business continuity
and giving workers increased flexibility, it has also blurred the lines between
work and private life," it reads. About 60 per cent of enterprises
surveyed for the report reported that worker morale has been difficult to
sustain while teleworking.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on April 28, 2021.
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