WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK - From Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike

WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK: THURSDAY, 28TH APRIL, 2016.

World Day For Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign organised by the International Labour Organisation, observed on 28th April of evey year to  promote safe, healthy and decent work conditions.

A national, occupational, safety and healthy culture is one in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels where government, employers and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities and duties, where the highest priority is accorded to the principle of prevention.

Today in Nigeria, many workers are facing greater pressure to meet up the demands of modern working life. Psychological risks such as increased competition, higher expectations on performance and longer working hours are contributing to the workplace becoming an even  more stressful environment.

In addition to the current economic recession, reduced work opportunities, massive layoffs and decreased financial stability, most companies expose their workers to hazardous environments in the course of their duties which results to fatalities, accidents and illnesses.

The International Labour Organization reported that every year, some two million men and women lose their lives through accidents, illnesses or diseases linked  to their work. While there are about 270 million occupational accidents and 160 million occupational diseases.

The ILO is devoted to advancing opportunities for people to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. The goals of occupational safety and health is to protect workers, family members, employers, customers and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment.

Sadly, some Nigerian employers do not take issues of occupational health and safety seriously. Not because they do not know that it is important but l suspect that this is largely because most of them think keeping up to date on health and safety of workers will make them spend more money than they would like to. But research have shown that when workers are healthy and the work secured, the employer will make more profit because it will increase production and attract more people for investment.

The Employee's Compensation Act, 2010 places on all organizations (both public and private), the duty of care, decent, safe and healthy working environment as well as ensuring that adequate compensation is paid to any of its employees or their dependants for any injury, disease, disability or death arising out of or in the course of employment.

The theme for this year's observance is "Workplace Stress: A Collective Challenge". Work related issues are now generally acknowledged as global issues affecting all callings, professions, careers or occupations both in developing and developed  countries. It is an important source of psychological risks and an ideal venue to address them in order to protect the health and well being of workers.

Fatalities, accidents and illnesses at work are our collective responsibilities and are highly preventable. We all have the duty to act now for a safe and healthy work place.

God bless and keep you and your families.

From Her Excellency,
Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,
The Wife of His Excellency,
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON,
The Governor of Rivers State.