Minister stresses on urgency for occupational safety

Shirley Wijesinghe

COLOMBO: The implementation of an Adequate Occupational Safety and Health programme for employees will accelerate the national productivity, Health Care and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

He made this remark at the opening of the seminar to mark the National Occupational Safety and Health Week which falls in the 2nd Week of October.

A national level seminar on Prevention from Occupational Injuries and Accidents was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute recently.

"The capitalist society never thought of Occupational Safety and Health for their employees and they have been treated as slaves", the Minister added.

The Minister explained that the anti-venom drugs for snake bites cost more than Rs. 400 million to import. But farmers especially in the dry zone who increasingly run the risk of being bitten by snakes are reluctant to wear safety boots.

He urged all workers to wear some form of safety equipment according to their job nature and avoid accidents in work places.

The Minister criticised the practise of providing safety equipment only to a limited executive staff in some private sector institutions noting it was unfair.

"I propose that the Government make provisions to carry out annual medical check-ups for every employee in collaboration with the private sector for the benefit of both the employer and employee," the Minister said.

Labour Relations and Foreign Employment Minister Athauda Seneviratne, Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva, Secretary Mahinda Madihahewa and Labour Commissioner D. S. Edirisinghe also addressed the seminar.