Encouraging innovation through labor-management cooperation

Last Feb. 19, the Occupational Safety and Health Center - REU 6 gave inputs related to the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Program during the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Region 6's enhancement activity on, "Encouraging innovation through labor-management cooperation (LMC) and basic concept of productivity.

The activity was attended by (11) managers from various companies with established LMC committees. The managers were informed of the programs and services of OSHC to further expand the partnership in the advocacy and the empowerment of OSH in their respective workplaces.

Through strong linkages and social dialogue, the advocacy of OSH in the region will amass to a point when issues of lack of awareness of the programs, services, and standards will be dealt with. The NCMB-6 will be hosting more free convergence activities, in partnership with DOLE, RTWPB, OSHC, and ECC, in the near future and they are hoping for more companies to actively participate in the advocacy.

Safeguarding the safety and health of micro-entrepreneurs

PAVIA, ILOILO - To safeguard the safety and health of micro-entrepreneurs in the locality, the Occupational Safety and Health Center - Regional Extension Unit No. 6 (OSHC-REU6) conducted an OSH orientation to its (14) home-made ice cream and barquillos makers last Feb. 10, at the Pavia Livelihood Technology Center. The event was facilitated by the local government unit (LGU) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), a thrust in implementing the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GBP) projects, otherwise known as Yaman Pinoy.

During the activity, the attendees were informed of the hazards present in workplaces, even at home. Entrepreneurs were enlightened of the value of safety and health because if they don't then productivity will surely decline. And, when productivity drops, financial stability is threatened. Subsequently, they will be putting the general public at risk.

Topics on occupational safety, control measures and proper hygiene were discussed. Then the attendees were given a workshop to identify the unsafe/unhealthy acts and unsafe/unhealthy conditions that they usually encounter while working.

Upon closing of the activity, an attendee gave his testimony and remarks. He verbalized his experiences with accidents and illnesses in which he was incapacitated to sell his products because he had to stay at home and recover. Hence, he was not able to gain profit and had a hard time in thinking of what to feed his family with the available remaining funds he had. Lastly, he thanked the local government unit for the assistance it gave to the micro-entrepreneurs of the locality.

The LGU will continue to provide a continuous enabling environment for the micro-entrepreneurs through skills training, product development, and marketing as well as to ensure their safety and health.

Driving away accidents through awareness

ILOILO CITY - As an advocacy to drive away work-related accidents and illnesses in the city, the Occupational Safety and Health Center Regional Extension Unit 6 (OSHC-REU6), together with the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 6 (DOLE-RO6), conducted an OSH orientation to the workers of  the Light of Glory Taxi Services, one of the recognized and trusted taxi services in the city.

A total of 34-attendees with the presence of management, staff, mechanics, painters, and drivers benefited from the activity. They were all been oriented of the OSHC mandates and programs as well as occupational safety and OSH legislation topics.

Through the orientation, the workers became more aware of the importance of safety and health thus empowered them to further plan and implement effective safety and health policies. The company will comply with the OSH standards as its commitment to the advocacy, said Lourdes A. Espera, human resource manager.