Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has outlined seven strategic thrusts for occupational safety and health (OSH) in in the country amidst an ever-changing work environment brought about by the pandemic.
He said these seven areas of focus were critical because a neglect of occupational safety and health could potentially cause Malaysia to lose 4 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) per year.
Ismail Sabri, who was speaking at the launch of the Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan 2021-2025 (OSHMP25) today, said such medium-term initiatives were drafted after taking into account the changes in the current employment scenario.
He said among other things, almost all homes, cafes and restaurants had been transformed into workspaces in the post Covid-19 world.
The seven strategic thrusts are OSH empowerment in the public sector; strengthening the practice of self-regulation in the workplace; the promotion of OSH education and research; occupational health empowerment; increased OSH compliance in the small and medium enterprise sector; strengthening OSH through technology; and increasing work-related road safety and OSH in the informal sector and future jobs.
"The seven strategic thrusts to adopting this safe work culture is crucial for all of us to adhere to.
"For everyone's information, a direct effect of occupational safety and health neglect is the loss of 4 per cent of the country's GDP per year.
"However, the government's priority is to prevent the loss of lives of the Keluarga Malaysia," he said at the launch of the master plan held virtually, today.
He said the seven strategic thrusts would drive the practice of a safe and healthy work culture, which would then increase Malaysia's Wellbeing Index.
"This plan would increase the safety and health levels at the workplace by reducing accidents, deaths and infections, which at the same time help the government's effort in improving the people's wellbeing
"The government's commitment in protecting human resources is centred on the principles of inclusivity and a safe work culture.
"At the national-level, the implementation of the long-term strategies of the OSH management system is in line with the International Labour Organisation Convention 2006," he added.
When elaborating on the OSHMP25, Ismail Sabri said the five-year medium-term plan was a continuation of previous plans, aimed at applying inclusive values to encourage participation by all parties, in line with the transformation of OSH systems nationwide.
"Moving forward, we must weather the global environment which is expected to become increasingly competitive as a result of this pandemic.
"It demands a transition in a drastic way to the new norms of jobs, such as working from home, with increased online activity."
He pointed out that the new scenario opened up many opportunities for the workforce, while the definition of a "workplace" becoming increasingly blurred as it was no longer necessary for employees to be in the office.
"Therefore, more and more will operate from home when most communications, meetings, and financial transactions are conducted virtually."
Ismail Sabri said this, however, also exposed employees to the safety and health risks such as ergonomic-related problems, linked to body posture while using computers or gadgets.
"Employees who are confined to the home for too long are also vulnerable to psychosocial problems, particularly mental stress and weaknesses in social interaction.
"The new situation also demands the government to look into affirmative action to ensure a healthy, safe, and conducive working environment is continued."
Also present at the event were Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, and Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Awang Hashim.
Source:
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/736212/almost-all-homes-caf%C3%A8s-restaurants-turned-workspaces-now-pm
No comments:
Post a Comment