The Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Tšeliso Mokhosi says that safety and good health of workers is important at every workplace.

He said when passing the message for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work which is annually commemorated on April 28.

This year`s theme is, ‘Significance and Impact of Climate Change on Occupational Well-being’.

He stressed that by focusing on the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health, the theme underscores the urgency of addressing climate change’s impacts on occupational safety and health while emphasising the necessity of safer work environments and promoting global awareness of work health and safety.

He said that they have to work together with stakeholders for the safety of workers against the challenges brought by climate change. He added that the day is a vital platform for safety experts and like-minded individuals to convene, exchange insights and collaborate toward creating safer work environments.

He explained that several factors are affecting worker safety and health, saying with shifting weather patterns and changes in climate, the landscape of the workplace faces significant impacts particularly on the safety and well-being of workers.

He stated that the risks at the workplace that get aggravated by climate change include heat and cold stress, UV radiation, air pollution, industrial accidents, and extreme weather events.

Furthermore, he urged Basotho to work hand in glove with sectors related to big projects which include construction of roads and agriculture to ensure that the workers are safe against the challenges caused by climate change.

“This year’s theme is exceptional as it comes at a time when Lesotho is working towards changing the status of economy through the construction of Polihali Dam, irrigation farming project funded by World Bank under the Competitive and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) project in Lesotho and the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Compact II, where the workers will work in open areas and encounter impacts of climate change”, he continued.

Moreover, Mr Mokhosi emphasised that as a government they have to join hands with all employment sectors to sensitize workers on safety measures at the workplace particularly against impacts of climate change.

“Together we can bring safety, health and workplaces that are safe’” he stressed.

He called on all to celebrate the day safely, adding that they should all work together to achieve a better and brighter future where all will be able to protect themselves against climate change.

In March this year, Lesotho passed the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act 2024.

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted on September 25, 2015 encompasses a global plan of action with specific targets to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. With its adoption, the capacity to collect and utilize reliable OSH data has also become indispensable for countries to fulfil their commitment to implement and report on some of the agenda’s 17 sustainable development goals and their targets.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is held on April 28 and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003.

Source: Lesotho News Agency (LENA) 28/4/2024