SHANNISE DZOBO
MASVINGO CITY-The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare commemorated the World Day for Safety and Health at Work (WDSHW) in Masvingo province.
The commemorations were held in Masvingo City at theCivic Centre on Friday.
The Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Lovemore Matuke, on behalf of Minister Paul Mavhima said a desire for safe, healthy and sustainable economic recovery and growth was a national priority.
“As we commemorate this year’s day for safety and health, it is wise to challenge employees to ensure work related health so we do not continue losing workers and let us not forget all those whose lives, limbs and health were lost while at work.
“During the year 2022 the national statistics from the Accident Prevention and Workers Compensation Scheme under NSSA recorded a total of 4 800 occupational injuries and of these 75 were fatal compared to 5 641 serious disabling injuries recorded in 2021 of which 42 were fatal.
“Such figures are not acceptable and are an indication of the poor performance of our Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) service delivery as a nation,” said the Minister.
NSSA acting general manager, Charles Shava said that the day was set aside globally to promote the prevention of occupational accidents, injuries and ill-health.
“Employers have the responsibility to ensure the creation of safe and healthy work environments for their employees, while workers are responsible for working safely, protecting themselves and others by participating in the implementation of preventive measures and as the country is gearing up towards the upper middle-income status by 2030, there is need to create safe and healthy work environments around which the country’s productivity as a nation hinges,” he said.
The president of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Florence Taruvinga warned and urged employers to maintain and adhere to the policies which were put in place to protect the workers to have safe working environment.
“As a union that represent workers in this country we want to urge and warn all employers in this country to maintain and adhere to all the policies and labour practises to protect worker’s rights so that they have safe working environment.
“The other issue concerning our workers is that there is no decency in them earning Zimbabwean Dollars (RTGS) whilst the market is demanding United States Dollars (USD),” said Taruvinga.
Anna Marie Kaiga from the International Labour Organisation’s office in Zimbabwe said that lack of safety and health in work places hinders the growth of the economy therefore employers should take note of these issues and improve their employees’ welfare so that the economy thrives.
