Firms must enhance safety systems – Simukoko

By KALOBWE BWALYA GOVERNMENT will start making prompt visits to workplaces to monitor how employers are adhering to occupational safety and health systems, Labour and Social Security Minister Joyce Simukoko has said. The minister as meanwhile announced that Government will continue to uphold principles of decent work agenda and international labour standards in line with International labour Organisation (ILO) requirements. Ms Simukoko said this when she officiated at the World Day for Safety and Health at Work in Lusaka yesterday. This was being commemorated under the theme: “Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises invest now in resilient occupational safety and health systems.” Ms Simukoko said the ministry would continue to promote safety and health guidelines and standards at the work place. Meanwhile, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Secretary General, Cosmas Mukuka, said there was an urgent need to end work place accidents and illness through the ratification and domestication of core ILO conventions of 155, 161 and 187 together with the development of workplace policies. Zambia federation of Employers acting president Myra Sakala appealed to Government to quickly finalise the Factories and other Workplaces Bill.