Two Associations keep Commemorative Days

THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY COMMEMORATE 

WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH 

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security will commemorate World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, 2010 under the theme “Emerging risks and patterns of prevention in a changing world of work”.

Additionally, the Ministry will join the Jamaica Association for the Deaf and the international community to observe International Noise Awareness Day on April 28.  To this end, the ministry encourages all Jamaicans to take part in the “Quiet Diet” by taking time for 60 seconds of silence from 2:15 – 2:16 p.m. Recognizing that noise standards in particular the volume at which we play our music is still an issue in Jamaica , the Ministry is encouraging the society to abide by the Noise Abatement Act. 

The Labour Ministry will also use the day to pay tribute to the 187 persons who lost their lives in 2009 as a result of accidents at the workplace.

To reduce the levels of accidents at the workplace, the Ministry will be romping up its workplace inspection programme.  The Ministry is urging all employers and workers to see workplace safety and health as key factors of business efficiency and competitiveness. Through its Voluntary Compliance Programme, over 2,087 companies have received assistance from the Ministry to establish safety and health programmes in their workplaces. 

As part of activities to mark the occasion, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles will tour Federated Pharmaceuticals, a company that is occupational health and safety compliant.

The Ministry in collaboration with the Jamaica Association of the Deaf is encouraging the nation to engage in good practices and conserve their learning.

DISABILITY ASSOCIATION RE-BRANDS
 AS IT HELPS PARENTS COPE

Parenting a child with intellectual disability is not an easy task, and members of a family oftentimes have to undergo counselling to adapt to the presence of such a child. In Jamaica , educational and support services for persons with intellectual disabilities and their families are provided through the non-profit organization, the Jamaican Association on Intellectual Disability (JAID).

Formerly known as the Jamaican Association on Mental Retardation, JAID is now re-branding itself to create greater awareness and appreciation for persons with intellectual challenges in the Jamaican society.

The official re-naming of the Association will take place at the Annual Parents’ Conference to be held on Saturday May 1, 2010 at the Girl Guides Association headquarters, 2 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10, starting at 10:00.a.m.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Andrew Gallimore, who has portfolio responsibility for persons with disabilities, will join parents and students at the conference, along with guest speaker, Quality Management Consultant Nsombi JaJa.

Under the theme, “What’s In A Name”, the conference will focus on educating parents, professionals and other stakeholders about the negative connotations associated with the term “mental retardation”, while promoting the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities to a life of dignity and equal opportunities.

As the nation observes Child Month, it is hoped that the issues affecting these special needs children will be highlighted, as well as ways in which the society can help to alleviate the problems.

According to Executive Director of JAID, Grace Duncan, “We want to get across the message of focusing on the ability of persons with disabilities, rather than their limitations, and help to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with such disabilities in the Jamaican society.”

Mrs. Duncan explained that the name change was implemented in keeping with provisions of the 2004 Montreal Declaration on Intellectual Disabilities, of which JAID is a signatory. The Declaration emphasizes the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities to equality, non-discrimination and full integration in society.

The JAID helps in the prevention and management of intellectual disability through a variety of services, including assessment, early intervention, special education, parent support, skills training, employment assistance and professional development. It operates 29 learning centres under the Schools of Special Education and Learning Centres banner. The Government partners with the institution through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to allow for greater access by persons with disabilities, especially youth between 6-20 years.

Wage Dispute with the Nurses Association of Jamaica

NURSES TO MEET WITH PRIME MINISTER GOLDING

 

A decision was taken today (April 28) for the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) to meet with Prime Minister Bruce Golding to continue discussion regarding retroactive payments and the implementation of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) award, following  a request from NAJ president Edith Allwood-Anderson.

As a result, conciliatory meetings at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security have been suspended.

The meeting at the Ministry’s North Street offices was attended by representatives of the Nurses Association of Jamaica, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and the University Hospital of the West Indies .

Notes of the Minister’s Speech

HON. PEARNEL CHARLES, MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY

WORLD DAY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH 2010

April 28, 2010 @ 8:30 a.m.

Factory Tour - Federated Pharmaceuticals

·        I am glad to join you on this factory tour as we observe World Day for Safety and Health 2010 under the theme “Emerging risks and patterns of prevention in a changing world of work”.

·        We are also recognizing the International Noise Awareness Day celebrated today (April 28).  I wish to thank Federated Pharmaceuticals for kindly accommodating us today.

·          There are indeed newly emerging hazards and risks at the workplace, along with changing patterns of work, which will impact on how occupational safety and health is managed at the workplace - nationally, regionally, and internationally.

·        The concept of occupational safety and health must not be taken lightly and we need a deliberate approach to coordinate resources to establish a national safety agenda.   Over the last two years, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through the Occupational Health and Safety Department, visited and worked with 2,085 companies in Jamaica to ensure safety at work.

·        The theme for this year reiterates that a healthy, motivated workforce is fundamental to the future social and economic well-being of Jamaica . There is a growing body of work which suggests that improvements in workplace safety and health can be key ingredients to business efficiency and competitiveness.

·         We know that workplaces that engage in promoting health requirements and seek to improve the condition under which workers carry out their duties are upholding international standards. 

·        It is important to note that the Occupational Safety and Health Department (OSH) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is supported by a legal framework through which it regulates and advises establishments on the types of safety and health systems that can be put in place to protect workers and company property. This is to mitigate against accidents and injuries.  Social dialogue and tripartism is being adopted as we seek to strengthen support among all stakeholders.

·        The Occupational Health and Safety Bill is still a draft, albeit in an advanced state.  It is being reviewed by technocrats in the Ministry and further drafting instructions are being refined to be forwarded to the Office of the Parliamentary Council.  Efforts are being made to have the Act passed in the shortest possible time.

·        With the passing of this Act, ALL work places in Jamaica – whether factories, shops, offices, hazardous installations, or industrial establishments - will have to fall in line with Occupational Health and Safety standards as this Act seeks to bring us in line with international standards on health and safety within the work place.  

·        The Act will cover the rights and duties of all players in the workplace (namely, employers, supervisors and workers); increased penalties and fines for organizations found in breach of its provisions; enlarged powers for OSH Inspectors in ensuring compliance with the Act.  It is also proposed to address other occupational concerns such as HIV/AIDS and child labour by appending appropriate regulations to the Act.

·        We acknowledge and support the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) standards as the framework for managing workplace health and creating and maintaining safe and decent work, and have sustained our efforts in ensuring conformity in our workplaces.   

·        The Ministry spearheads a Voluntary Compliance Programme (VCP) in which companies are encouraged to participate and access assistance from our OSH Department in establishing safety and health programmes and developing HIV/AIDS policies in their workplaces.

·        Participating companies are awarded gold, silver and bronze awards based on their level of compliance.

 ·        Federated Pharmaceuticals is a participant in the OSH aspect of this VCP,   having registered in January 2008.

·        Federated Pharmaceuticals represents a good example of a company mindful of the importance of Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace.

·        In a recent workplace audit, Federated Pharmaceuticals was awarded the Silver Award Certificate for varying improvements which have been made to ensure a safer and healthy work environment.

·        Occupational safety and health involves not only physical health but also the social and mental well-being or workers, that is, the “whole person”. As such, the Act seeks to address the concerns of persons in the workplace who are infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS as that epidemic is impacting to a large extent on the working population. The response to this social issue is in the form of the Workplace Policy on HIV/AIDS.

·         We are encouraging Federated Pharmaceuticals to register for the HIV/AIDS Voluntary Compliance Programme, and urge other companies to follow their example.

·        Indeed, I urge all of us as 21st century employers, unions and workers to support the Government to continue to fast track the agenda to have all workplaces observe safety standards so as to fully protect our human resources. 

·        On this World Day for Safety and Health and International Noise Awareness Day, I wish for all us an uneventful day with respect to accidents and noise in the workplace.  Thank you.