DOLE-OSHC facilitates OSH study tour for Nepal
“I would like to thank the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) of the Philippines for providing us with valuable information which will greatly contribute in developing and enhancing our OSH policies, programs and activities, said Bishwanath Sharma Jakal, Joint Secretary of the Nepal Ministry of Labour after the OSH Study Tour Program held in the Philippines on April 13-17, 2015.
Four delegates from Nepal visited the Philippines to learn about the development and implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards, the establishment and operations of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), welfare and benefit programs for workers, OSH activities around the country and best OSH practices of various industries.
Several discussions and lectures were conducted with officials from the DOLE and Department of Health. To benchmark the best OSH practices, the OSHC, together with DOLE Regional Office III and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) facilitated the site visits in the Sand of Triboa Construction Project and Chung Nan Textile (Phils) Corp. in Subic. SBMA Chair Roberto V. Garcia explained their OSH policies, implemented alongside the DOLE policies as well as the operation of establishments within SBMA.
A visit to the informal enterprises was also conducted in Angono, Rizal, in cooperation with the Pambansang Kalipunan ng mga Manggagawang Impormal sa Pilipinas (PATAMABA). Angono Mayor Gerardo Calderon welcomed the delegates and discussed the local government programs for the informal sector. “I am happy that our municipality is able to contribute to the benchmarking of best practices. We have been able to help our informal settlers here in Angono by relocating them in better areas and engaging them in our livelihood programs to ensure that they have enough profit while working in a safe and healthy environment,” said Mayor Calderon.
They were able to visit a facility for making rags, detergent, fabric softener and dishwashing liquid which was also a beneficiary of the DOLE Livelihood Program which employs women as well as on-the-job trainees during the summer months.
“The Philippines has been a beneficiary of many technology and knowledge transfer programs of the International Labour Organization and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. It is truly an honor for us to be able to share our experiences to help other countries in return.
The Nepal OSH Study Tour was organized by the ILO as part of the Occupational Safety and Health Development in Nepal 2013-2015 Program with fu8nding support from Japan. The said project aims to initiate a comprehensive plan for promoting OSH and reforming the labor inspection system in Nepal.
END/DJ Romero
Any question on this release? Please contact Ma. Teresita S. Cucueco, MD, CESO III, Executive director, Occupational Safety and Health Center, North Avenue corner Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City with telephone numbers 929-6036 to 39 and e-mail address:oshc_dole@yahoo.com
