The Trades Union Congress, TUC, is calling on the government to speed up the process of passing the Occupational Safety and Health Bill into law as Ghana joins the rest of the globe in commemorating World Day for Safety and Health at Work on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
This was said in a statement issued by Dr. Yaw Baah, the TUC Secretary-General.
The draught bill drafted in 2017 by the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations in cooperation with other important stakeholders is long overdue, according to the statement.
While asking the government to expedite its approval, it also urged companies to put in place procedures, rules, and laws to ensure a safe and secure workplace.
It was highlighted that once enacted, the law will ensure employers' responsibilities as well as employees' and their representatives' rights to health and safety, as outlined in the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Convention 155 of 1981.
The ILO is examining Occupational Safety and Health as a Fundamental Human Right, according to the statement.
This, it stated, will obligate all member nations to put in place the necessary measures since every worker has a basic right to work in a safe and secure workplace.
It did, however, urge ILO member nations to back the process.
This year's anniversary, with the theme "Make safe and healthy work a basic right," is a rallying cry, according to Dr. Baah. This year's commemoration, with the subject "Make safe and healthy work a basic right," is a clarion cry for the National Tripartite Committee to guarantee that every company in the nation has an Occupational Safety and Health Committee, according to Dr. Baah.
In 2003, the International Labour Organization (ILO) proclaimed April 28th as World Day for Workplace Safety and Health.
Since then, the day has been observed every year to emphasise the importance of preventing accidents and diseases at all workplaces around the world.
The World Day for Occupational Safety and Health at Work, also known as Workers' Memorial Day, commemorates the millions of workers who have died while at work.