MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has called for urgent enactment of the proposed Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Bill, saying it will align Zimbabwe’s labour laws with international standards and close gaps in workplace safety.
Speaking during an OSH media training, NSSA legal officer Memory Mukapa said the Bill seeks to reduce occupational accidents, injuries, diseases and fatalities while promoting a safety culture across all sectors.
“The main objective of the OSH Bill is to ensure that all workplaces in Zimbabwe are safe and properly regulated,” Mukapa said.
“It consolidates occupational safety and health under one framework, ensuring that no sector, including the informal economy, is left out.”
Mukapa said the Bill introduces funding mechanisms for safety programmes, including access to the Workers’ Compensation Fund.
She added that the legislation will be backed by detailed regulations to ensure effective implementation.
“The Act on its own is not sufficient. We need supporting regulations to operationalise its provisions, including technical areas such as boiler safety,” she said.
The Bill expands regulation of machinery, hazardous substances and workplace conditions, while strengthening enforcement through a dedicated Occupational Safety and Health Department within NSSA.
It also provides for the establishment of a Zimbabwe Occupational Safety and Health Council to advise government and lead research.
Mukapa said the new law will replace the current Factories and Works Act while maintaining continuity.
“The intention is to improve the existing framework, not to create arbitrary changes,” she said.
She said the Bill outlines responsibilities for all stakeholders, including employers, employees, manufacturers and importers, and introduces stricter penalties to enforce compliance.
Mukapa added that the reforms are expected to improve workplace safety and align Zimbabwe’s laws with international obligations.
