Fast economic development and increased number of enterprises have caused more problems for Vietnam in working accidents, illnesses and serious environment pollution. Sectors of high risk are coal mining, stone excavation, building materials, equipment installation, ship-building, etc. The problem is how to reduce accidents and create safe working environment for the workers.
In fact, safe and healthy working environment is the key to ensure sustainable jobs for the workers. It also helps reduce risk of accidents. On July 16, 2012, in Quang Ninh, Department of Labour Safety, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) in conjunction with International Mining Safety Association (ISSA-Mining – Germany) sponsored a seminar “Increased prevention of working accidents and illnesses in high-risk sectors in Vietnam”.
The seminar focused on the exchanges of experiences between mining experts and staff members of Quang Ninh coal mines and enterprises to increase the efficiency of working safety in mining sector and other high-risk sectors.
In addition, “National programme of working safety and health 2011-2015” co-sponsored by MOLISA, Health Ministry, Education and Training Ministry, Vietnam Labour Union and VCCI has set the goals for improvement of working conditions, reduction of environment pollution, prevention of working accidents and illnesses, thereby contributing to sustainable development in Vietnam. Accordingly, working accidents will be reduced by 5 percent a year in high-risk sectors (mining, construction, energy, metal and chemical industries), while supervision centres of working environment will increase by 10 percent. The programme will increase each year 5 percent in health centres and 5 percent in the number of health check for the workers.
The programme will also include projects of capacity building for working safety and health and reduction of accidents. The projects are directed at both employers and employees with emphasis on the completion of State organizations on working safety and health, and development of related legal frameworks. Public education will increase the consciousness and responsibility of employers, employees and the community. Once those objectives are met, more workers can work in safe and healthy environment of a civilized society. The successful implementation of the programme will reduce the loss in life and health of the workers as well as the economy, increasing production efficiency and output, and saving over VND200 billion a year.
Furthermore, the improvement of working conditions and environment will reduce environment pollution and industrial negative effects. With safe and healthy environment, the workers are relieved of anxiety and concentrate on labour productivity and efficiency.
In the same efforts to increase safe and healthy working conditions in high-risk sectors, Japan has contributed US$720,000 to project “Safe and healthy working conditions in high-risk industries in Vietnam”. The project is part of the bilateral cooperation programme between ILO and Japan as well as project of “Safe and healthy working conditions in high-risk industries in South East Asia”.
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