Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said occupational accidents, injuries, diseases, and fatalities remain an unnecessary human and economic burden on the workforce.
Mavima was speaking at the annual Safety and Health at Work (SHAW) conference held in Harare last week.
He called for the creation of safe and healthy work environments in order to prevent worker carnage in workplaces.
“It is therefore very important that we join forces in investing in resilient occupational safety and health systems and creating a resilient and sustainable OSH culture. These will help us to be able to face and respond to crises now and in the future,” said Mavima.
He added that the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 8 on decent work and economic growth cannot be achieved unless there is proper planned and well implemented Occupational Safety Health (OSH) systems.
“The most important resource, which is our labour force should be protected from workplace injuries and diseases, this position also resonates with the inclusive approach which underpins our National Development thrust espoused by NDS1.
“The government of Zimbabwe together with its social partners will work tirelessly and commit itself to putting in place OSH frameworks that ensure that our workers across all sectors of the economy are safe from workplace hazards and risks,” he said.
Mavima said there is need to strengthen social dialogue between government, employers and workers’ organisations, not only in responding to crisis and pandemics, but also in promoting good OSH conditions.
“The need for safe and healthy work environments is enshrined in our Constitution Section 65 (1), (4) and 73(a) that emphasizes that every person has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being, as this year’s theme for “Creating safe and healthy work environments through and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic”, said Mavima.
