Friday, June 22, 2012

Malaysia ratifies key international labour standard on occupational safety and health

Malaysia ratifies the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187)



Malaysia ratifies key international labour standard on occupational safety and health
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Press release | 08 June 2012

Geneva (ILO NEWS) – The Government of Malaysia deposited with the International Labour Office the instrument of ratification of the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187). Malaysia is the 22nd member State to ratify the Convention.

The instrument of ratification was presented by Malaysia’s Minister of Human Resources, Dr Subramaniam K. V. Sathasivam, to the Director General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr Juan Somavia, at a ceremony on 7 June 2012 in the framework of the 101st International Labour Conference (ILC).

In depositing this instrument, Mr Sathasivam said “This ratification is one of the measures taken by the Government to implement its Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan 2015 which aims to foster a preventative safety culture, develop company OSH management systems, and enhance the involvement of all stakeholders. It also reflects the commitment made by the Government of Malaysia in 2008 when it signed the Seoul Declaration on Safety and Health at Work”.

Mr Somavia said “This ratification is an expression of commitment by the Government of Malaysia to ensure a solid legal basis for the promotion and implementation of an occupational safety and health policy in the country. Malaysia joins other member States that have made a formal commitment to implement the Convention and becomes the third country in Asia to do so after Japan and the Republic of Korea”.

Convention No. 187 provides a framework for a coherent and systematic approach to occupational safety and health and promotes the recognition and application of other ILO Conventions on the issue. In ratifying this international instrument, Malaysia commits itself to continuous improvement of occupational safety and health by means of a national policy, a national system and a national programme aimed at the prevention of occupational injuries, diseases and deaths, through tripartism and social dialogue.

The ILO estimates that 317 million workplace accidents and 2.3 million deaths occur worldwide every year. In the past decade the rate of work-related accidents in Malaysia has decreased by more than 40 per cent. The Malaysian Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan has the goal of reducing injuries by an additional 30 per cent and fatalities by 20 per cent by 2015.

The ILC is the annual meeting of the 185 member States of the ILO. The mandate of this UN specialised agency includes promoting rights at work, decent employment opportunities, social protection and tripartite dialogue on work-related issues.

http://www.ilo.org/asia/info/public/pr/WCMS_182687/lang--en/index.htm

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