National Union of Building, Engineering and General Workers (NUBEGW) will conduct actions at five organised workplaces. Activities include a meeting with an employer, march on an employer’s premises, and awareness campaigns at two other workplaces.
Tag Archives: Zambia
Africa: BWI affiliates declare war on workplace hazards, unite for a safer future #iwmd24
BWI trade union affiliates across Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia are forging a formidable front in the fight for safer workplaces, sounding the alarm against growing hazards and championing worker protection.
In a recent project evaluation and planning meeting attended by representatives from three unions, BWI, and SASK, crucial insights were gleaned on the progress and challenges of the 2023 initiative. Emphasising the urgent need for action, discussions centred on navigating potential obstacles looming over the SASK/BWI project in 2024. With an unwavering commitment to bolstering membership and safeguarding workers, affiliates like MANWU are seizing opportunities, such as the forthcoming USD 9.4 billion Green Hydrogen plant project. The project is expected to create approximately 15,000 direct jobs during the first four years of construction and 3,000 permanent jobs thereafter, with 90 percent of the workforce being drawn from the locals. Recognising the pivotal role of organized labour, MANWU plans to leverage this project to expand its ranks and enhance worker protection.
After the two-day evaluation and planning meeting, participants had a site visit to a road construction project managed by the Zhong Mei Engineering Group, a Chinese multinational company. The participants identified hazards and labour rights violations, reinforcing the pressing need for improved occupational health and safety standards. They also echoed BWI’s rallying cry: “Enough is enough—Let’s Talk Hazards,” to mark this year’s International Workers’ Memorial Day 2024.
Patrick Sakala of NUBEGW concluded by affirming their united stand to ensure that workplaces are not only productive but safe havens for all workers. “Although we have achieved many OHS gains, we must continue doing so especially when new developments continue to expose ‘new’ OHS hazards. As activists, it is our collective duty to stop the impassive violation of human and labour rights in our lifetime and advance the workers’ OHS agenda. Through the BWI and SASK project, all three project unions can fulfil their respective mandates,” he said.
Updates on 28 April activities in Africa
In Burkina Faso FTBBF union activists will engage in dialogue and health and safety management and participation training with companies on 27 and 28 April.
In Côte d’Ivoire SYNASODEFOR union health and safety meetings and training will be held at the SinoHydro construction project between 27 and 29 April.
In Gabon UTBTPBSP union activists will engage in dialogue and health and safety management and participation training with companies on 27 and 28 April.
In Ghana Timber and Woodworkers’ Union (TWU) activists will engage in dialogue and health and safety management and participation training with companies on 27 and 28 April.
In Kenya KUPRIPUPA union activists will engage in dialogue and health and safety management and participation training with companies on 27 and 28 April.
Mauritius To mark 28 April the Mauritius Trade Union Congress (MTUC) is holding a one day reflection on ‘Awareness of occupational safety and health issues in the workplace and the contribution of trade unions in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work’ at the Emmanuel Anquetil Labour Centre, MTUC Office, GRNW, Port Louis, Mauritius on Monday 27th April 2015. Delegates from affiliates of MTUC and from other Confederations including that of Council of Trade Unions (CDS) will participate. Opening ceremony at 9.30 a.m will be attended by the Minister of Labour Industrial relations and Employment.
Also: CMWEU plans to create awareness on occupational safety and health issues at sixty workplaces through a campaign against psychosocial hazards.
In Namibia MANWU plans to raise awareness of occupational safety and health issues in the workplace highlighting the important contribution unions make to the prevention of accidents and ill health at work.
In Mozambique SINTAF and SINTICIM plan to raise awareness of occupational safety and health issues in the workplace highlighting the important contribution unions make to the prevention of accidents and ill health at work.
In Zambia NUBEGW plans to raise awareness of occupational safety and health issues in the workplace highlighting the important contribution unions make to the prevention of accidents and ill health at work.