FG inaugurates committees on workplace safety for workers

THE Federal Government has inaugurated two committees to come up with a framework that will provide a healthy work environment that guarantees the safety of workers at all time.

The committees are the Joint Committee for the Development of a Framework for the Implementation of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and the Technical Committee for the Development of the Public Service Emergency Management Policy Framework.

Head of the Federal Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, who inaugurated the committees in Abuja, said this was in fulfillment of one of the goals of the of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (2017-2018), that emphasis on improvement of welfare and benefits packages for civil servants.

“You will all agree with me that improving the well-being of civil servants involves attending to a whole gamut of issues, including providing a healthy work environment which guarantees the safety of workers at all times.

“Protecting the well-being of working population is the duty of government. In pursuant of this and to ensure the safety, well-being and dignity of employees at work, the National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) was developed,” she said.

In the same vein, the Head of Service said that the law of the Employees Compensation Act (ECA) 2010, which replaced the Workman Compensation Act, 2004, had been signed into law, which was being implemented by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

The NSITF is assigned the responsibility of the payment of adequate compensation for employees or their dependants of any injury, disease, disability or death arising out of or in the course of employment.

The Joint Committee, comprising critical stakeholders, including the NSITF, federal ministries of Health, Labour and Employment, has the following terms of reference: To examine the ECA 2010 and identify areas of collaboration between National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

They are also to develop a framework for the implementation of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Policy in the Federal Public Service; and any other recommendations that may enhance the implementation of the ECA 2010 in the Public Service.

Similarly, the Technical Committee on the Development of the Public Service Emergency Management Policy Framework, whose members are drawn from FRSC, Federal Fire Service, NEMA, NESREA, FDPSAAN, NSITF, NIA, Office of SSA to the President on Disabilities, NSE and OHCSF, is expected to further enrich the draft Public Service Emergency Action Plan Guide and turn it into an essential companion for emergency preparedness by all MDAs and indeed public servants.

The terms of reference of the Technical Committee are to develop the Public Service Emergency Management Policy; to develop the action plan for the implementation of the Public Service Emergency Management Policy; and to propose any other recommendations that would ensure effective implementation of the Action Plan.

Both committees, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Walson-Jack Didi Esther, have two months and two weeks to complete their assignments.