THE Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) has applauded the effort made by the government to reduce charges of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OSHA).
The remark was made on Thursday by ATE Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Advocate Suzanne Ndomba when delivering greetings of the association to the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability), Prof Joyce Ndalichako during the celebration to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2023 held in Morogoro Region.
Adv Doran added that despite the efforts made, the association continues to propose further reduction of the charges, including medical examination fees of employees and the inspection fees.
However, the CEO implored the government to review and establish a good procedure for conducting inspections in workplaces.
Adding: “A safe working environment promotes production and good relations in the workplace”.
In particular, she noted that the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2003 requires employers to provide for health, safety and welfare for all workers and ensure the rehabilitation of affected workers in the workplace.
She underlined that the health and safety law at the workplace of 2003 requires the employer to create a healthy and safe environment at the workplace.
“As the voice of all employers in the country in collaboration with other stakeholders, ATE has been at the forefront of encouraging employers to comply with and implement the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2003,” the ATE CEO emphasised.
she also committed that the association will continue to raise awareness among employers to protect health and safety in the workplace in order to bring efficiency.
For her part, the OSHA Chief Executive, Ms Khadija Mwenda unveiled that Tanzania has a good system that meets international and regional requirements, especially in managing safety and health at the workplace, a situation that made other neighbouring countries come and learn in Tanzania.
“This success is due to the political will of our leaders to see that the employee is the number one priority,” Ms Mwenda added.
On his part, the President of the Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA), Mr Tumaini Nyamhokya said that the inspection carried out by OSHA to examine the systems, machines, regular workers’ medical examination as well as providing education and advice has greatly helped in strengthening the safety and health of workers and employers in the workplace.
“I would like to use this opportunity to commend the CEO and OSHA’s staff for the good work to continue improving the safety and health conditions at the workplace,” Nyamhokya added.
He also committed that TUCTA will collaborate with other workers, the government and OSHA to ensure that they build a culture of safety and health in the workplace to protect the workforce for the development of the nation.
