Companies and employers of labour operating in Nigeria have been urged to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Laws and Regulations operational in the country.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Festus Keyamo who made the call in ILorin, Kwara State in North-central Nigeria, said that the provisions of the Factories Act, 2004 and other Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) laws and regulations are meant to guard against hazards in workplaces.
The occasion was when the Minister led a team from the Ministry to inspect some companies in Ilorin, to assess their level of compliance with the provisions of the Factories Act and other national and international laws regarding Occupational Safety and Health.
Keyamo, represented by the Director, Occupational Safety and Health Department in the Ministry,
Mrs Lauretta Adogu, stated that government promotes Occupational Safety and Health through monitoring, inspection, and accident investigation in workplaces, aimed at preventing accidents, hazards, injuries, and diseases at work.
“Government’s activities in promoting OSH are guided by international and regional laws, national laws and policies, as well as ILO Conventions, especially Conventions 155 and 187, which are now fundamental Conventions, and which principles must be compulsorily respected and promoted by all member states of the Organisation”.
The Minister then urged the organisations to adhere to the provisions of national laws and policies, as well as international laws and regulations on Occupational Safety and Health as well as align their organizational policies with the National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health, and National Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS.
The inspected companies include Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Tuyil Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Outspan Nigeria Limited, OFI, and International Tobacco Company.
Responding, the Management of the various companies pledged to keep adhering to all existing laws and provisions of the various National laws and Policies, as well as international laws on Occupational Safety and Health.
