Department of Employment and Labour brings together inspectors to reflect on impact of the COVID-19 and the decent work order post-pandemic
South Africa’s economy and working places are still reeling from the unprecedented effects of COVID-19 and this has placed pressure on policymakers to develop timely policy responses and innovative approaches.
To respond to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 the Department of Employment and Labour will next week host the three-day 2023 National Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) conference.
The theme of the conference is: “Decent work post pandemic”.
The conference seeks to come with latest standards and innovative interventions to meet future challenges and develop compliance mechanisms against unforeseen future pandemics and disruptions.
The Department is also hosting the conference to advocate the work performed by its Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch in the aftermath of the pandemic to ensure safe working places, and promote the worker’s health in the advancement of Agenda 2030, that seeks to advance sustainable development goals.
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi and his Deputy Boitumelo Moloi are expected to deliver keynote addresses.
They are expected to share the platform with the Department of Employment and Labour’s Director-General Thobile Lamati; Department’s Inspector-General: Inspection and Enforcement Services Aggy Moiloa; Department’s Chief Inspector Phumudzo Maphaha; Compensation Fund Acting Commissioner Farzana Fakir.
The conference will also be addressed by the Department’s various Senior Specialists, Provincial Chief Inspectors, and also invited speakers from academia and various institutions specialising in the field of OHS.
The speakers will among themselves reflect on the topics of: biological hazards, OHS Bill, compensation for occupational injuries and diseases, risk assessment, controlling occupational exposures in the workplace, approaches to control hazards, medical surveillance as a control measure, bulk storage of essential hazardous substances during pandemic, emerging technologies in the gas industry, and construction industry perspective.
Source: Government of South Africa