Union Labour and Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has called for strong international collaboration to ensure the safety and health of workers at work place all over the world. Mr Kharge was addressing the Ministerial Summit at the 19th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Istanbul, Turkey on 11th September, 2011. The Congress is held every three years, the last one being held in Seoul. The Congress is being organised this year by Turkey jointly with International Labour Organisation and International Social Security Association.
Reiterating the commitment of Government of India to the health and safety of workers at workplace, Shri Kharge mentioned that the world Occupational Safety and Health environment is being influenced by many new developments like globalisation, transfer of technologies and outsourcing. He pointed out that the Seoul Declaration 2008 on Occupational Health and Safety emphasized a strong commitment to protect the safety and health of workers and eliminating workplace hazards. It also affirmed that safety and health at working environment is the basic right for employees. It became a fundamental management tool for improving productivity for employers and an undeniable principle of promoting a safety and health, culture, for governments.
Shri Kharge said that we need to focus on implementation of the Seoul Declaration at the national, regional and international levels. This would entail ongoing cooperation among high-ranking decision-makers, representatives of the tripartite bodies, and leaders of OSH organizations; and building partnerships, with OSH research institutions, expert groups and associations.
He reaffirmed that Government of India firmly believes that without safe and clean environment, as well as healthy working conditions, social justice and economic growth cannot be achieved. It recognizes safety and health at work as a fundamental human right. Education, training, consultation and exchange of information and good practices are also considered essential for prevention and promotion of such measures.
He highlighted that the National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace adopted by India lays special emphasis on eliminating potential hazards from industrial chemicals including pesticides, agricultural machineries and equipment. The Policy seeks to improve OSH through effective enforcement machinery, raising awareness, developing standards, codes of practice and manuals, research into social and physiological factors and evolving innovative methods like Risk Assessment Tools.
Shri Kharge mentioned that India has the highest commitment to international labour standards on Occupational Safety and Health. India has ratified ILO Conventions No. 81 (Labour Inspection), 115 (Radiation Protection), 136 (Benzene), 174 (Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents) and 127 (Maximum Weight). He also exhorted the international community to explore some key areas of international collaboration like creating awareness, research, generation of data and technical exchange programmes.
Besides the Labour and Employment Ministers from all over the world, the Congress was also addressed by Mr. Assane Diop, Executive Director, ILO and Mr. Errol Stoove, President ISSA
