By Teboho Serutla
The National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety, Health (NACOSH) and welfare was inaugurated on Wednesday this week with a mandate to advise the ministry on labour matters regarding safety, health and welfare of the workforce.
The minister of labour and employment Moshe Leoma said at the occasion held in Maseru that NACOSH is entrusted with advising and assisting the minister of labour and employment and the National Advisory Committee on Labour (NACOLA), in respect of matters affecting the safety, health and welfare of persons at work, or any other persons whose safety, health and welfare may be affected by work related activities.
He added that NACOSH is a statutory tripartite body established under the Labour Code Order of 1992 which regulates labour practices within Lesotho’s workforce.
He explained that occupational safety and health is a field that is aimed at the prevention of accidents and ill-health, protection of employers and workers as well as assurance of their welfare at work. He noted that workplace accidents do not only cause physical and emotional suffering, but also have a negative impact on the economy of the country.
Moshe added that he has been alerted that there was a myriad of reasons that led to the delay in establishing the council. He indicated that the reason topping the list was a high staff turnover within the Office on Safety and Health. He revealed that the policy on safety and health has been approved by the government which has also legislated on the safety and health.
He further encouraged the incoming members of the council to take the baton from the old council and continue the work that was left and implement it with the same enthusiasm in ensuring safety, health and welfare in all sectors.
Lesotho has ratified the International Labour Organisation Resolutions No. 155 and 167 that promote OSH on the workplace to enhance and protect safety and health at work for both employers and workers.
The council was legislated in 1970 to ensure safety and health at work while also assisting officers in implementing policies that advance good working conditions.
