Work-related deaths and accidents have increased over the years
A staggering number of deaths and work-related accidents have taken place and thus one cannot be complacent with measures taken so far with regard to occupational safety and health issues of workers.
Figures show that 2.78 million workers die every year from work-related accidents and diseases and 374 million persons are incapacitated from non-fatal occupational accidents, which is a huge number, said the Director, ILO Country office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Ms. Simrin Singh at a workshop held at the Movenpick Hotel, Kollupitiya on Thursday.
The event was organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, National Institute of Occupational Safety and health and Employers & Workers Organizations on Safety and Health at Work. The ILO marks its 100th anniversary this year.
Ms. Singh said that aside from the economic cost, there is an intangible cost not fully recognised in these figures of immeasurable human suffering caused by poor occupational safety and health (OSH) conditions. “This is tragic and regrettable because research and practice over the past century has repeatedly demonstrated this suffering was preventable. As far as Sri Lanka is concerned the figures are relatively high especially in the micro sector enterprises of the informal economy, a cause for concern. We are also looking at the agricultural and the plantation sector and women workers and the young.” Referring to advancing technologies such as digitalisation, robotics and nanotechnology, she said that it has become a serious occupational health issue.
General Secretary of Sri Lanka Nidhahas Sevaka Sangamaya, Leslie Devendra said that trade unions have been looking at the loss of jobs although many say that new technology will increase employment. This cannot be true when viewed from a Sri Lankan perspective due to advanced technological transfer. Referring to a company that was relocated and fitted with new machinery, he said the company concerned refused to employ old workers by saying that new workers were needed to handle new machinery.
“I don’t know whether this is true or not but we are engaged in a dispute.” He said the immediate problem they face was a massive job loss. At the recently concluded ILO session in Geneva violence among workers was discussed. “Those who work at offices now experience back pain and eye trouble due to constantly being glued to computers.” He said work is not related to money alone but having pride in the work people do and to have meaning in life. ”Just imagine a situation if all of us are at home and doing nothing. It will be a big problem when people fall sick. New technology is inevitable but how are we going to look at this problem in the future.” WHO Representative Dr. Razia Pendse, Secretary Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations, R Rajapaksha and others spoke at the workshop.