AU lobbies for workplace safety law reforms
Parliament, the African Union (AU) agency and the Ministry of Mining have called on the country to swiftly reform occupational safety and health laws to shield workers from diseases.
Representatives of the three institutions said this on Friday in Salima at the end of a two-day Occupational Safety and Health Regulatory Framework National Dialogue organised by the AU Development Agency and Partnership for Africa’s Development.
The occupational safety and health law reforms backers want strict enforcement of occupational safety and health provisions, especially in the production sector, and punitive measures for any violations.
The meeting sought to sensitise and advocate for the finalisation and adoption of OSH policies, legislations and regulations.
The laws earmarked for reforms to improve the safety of workers are the Mines and Minerals Act, OSH and Welfare Act, Workers Compensation Act.
Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs chairperson Peter Dimba said it was worrisome that despite years of pushing for the reforms, these laws have not been amended.
“The hazards that are currently there in our mines, the exposure of miners to harmful substances, we should have reviewed these pieces of legislation a long time ago so that we protect the workers.
“I still think we still have time to expedite the processes to ensure that these relevant laws are reviewed. As Parliament, we stand ready to support the approval of the reviewed legal framework,” he said.
Ministry of Mining Principal Secretary Joseph Mkandawire said they are also bothered with the challenges facing the mining sector.
However, he said they are failing to enforce the laws due to lack of regulations which are awaiting the Ministry of Justice’s approval.
“What is critical now is to ensure that the safety and health regulations that are being developed by the Ministry of Mining to operationalise the Mines and Minerals Act of 2019 have to be finalised by our colleagues from the Ministry of Justice.
“In that new regulation there are a lot of provisions that will enhance occupational and health issues,” he said.
African Union Development Agency policy specialist for health Chimwemwe Chamdimba expressed optimism that once all the necessary amendments have been undertaken, the work spaces will be conducive for all employees.
“This is why we organised the dialogue which offered a platform for ministries of Health, Justice, Mining and Labour, civil society organisations, parliamentarians and the media,” she said.
