Addis Chamber, August 20, 2024:
There is little understanding concerning Occupational Health and Safety ( OHS) measures among business entities in Ethiopia despite the existing policies putting in place concerning OHS as a result as many operates their duties without practicing OHS putting workers at risk.
Against this odd, institutions like Addis Chamber are striving to fill the knowledge and information gap concerning OHS practices and the latest training that is hosted by Addis Chamber jointly with the Danish Industries is an ice breaking to aware and inform about the need to carry out OHS practices among companies.
Staying for two days, the workshop has brought together women from leather and textile industries.
While sharing his keynote address to the workshop, Seyoum Chane, Deputy Secretary General from Addis Chamber, highlighted the role of his organization in rendering due emphasis for capacity building that aims at improving competitiveness of the Ethiopian private sector in diverse ways and enhancing the awareness of companies on OHS is one of those activities to be considered by companies.
Although OHS policies are enacted in Ethiopia, it isn’t yet fully implemented by companies and businesses, further explains Seyoum thus denoting the devotion of Addis Chamber towards enhancing OHS practices through successive capacity building sessions.
While sharing his experience Tumezgi Berhe , from FDRE ministry of Labour and Skill, said that despite the existing OHS policy put in place , very few companies are practicing it and the vast majority lacks awareness putting workers safety at risk.
Putting in place such kinds of policies at work places are essential to protect the health and safety of workers that eventually enhances production, underlines the expert from the ministry.
With long years of experience, Bent Horn, Senior Chief Consultant from Danish Industries, shared the experience of OHS from DI perspective as he said member companies are advised on how to handle on legislation, guidelines, shares best experience to cope up with.
In addition to these member companies in DI are working closely with ministries and trade unions to create conducive working environment in working areas.
Embracing more than twenty thousand member companies, DI is closely working with its members to be competitive and ensure the safety and rights of workers, further said Bent.
For long the two institutions Addis Chamber and DI are closely working on a project that aims to improve sustainable business in Ethiopia.