OSHC Ignites SDG Ambassadors of Iloilo on OSH Advocacy

Twelve ambassadors of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Iloilo were oriented on the significance of occupational safety and health (OSH) towards sustainable growth. The ambassadors were candidates of Mister Iloilo: The Search for Young Ilonggo Sustainable Development Advocates, organized by the Youth Proyekto Philippines, Inc.  The activity was done at the Iloilo Science and Technology University – Audio Visual Room.

The ambassadors, representing various areas in Iloilo, were informed that through OSH they will be able to contribute to the accomplishment of 3-SDG (namely: Good health [3], Decent work & economic growth [8], and Peace and justice [16]). The discussion aimed to hasten activities to achieve safe and secure working environments for all workers.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), work-related deaths, injuries, and diseases take a particularly heavy toll in developing nations, where large numbers of people are engaged in hazardous activities including agriculture, construction, logging, fishing, and mining. Death and disability resulting from hazardous work is a major cause of poverty, affecting entire families. The poorest and least protected, often women, children, and migrants, are among the most affected. Furthermore, a vicious circle of poor health, reduced working capacity, low productivity and shortened life expectancy is a typical outcome in the absence of social interventions addressing the underlying problems of irregular and low-quality employment, low pay and the lack of social protection.

"We need to capacitate all workers, regardless of employment status and nature of the business, about safety and health to improve their health and economic conditions," said Melveen Melocoton, officer-in-charge of OSHC-REU6.

With this year's SafeDay theme wherein we're campaigning to improve the safety and health of young workers, we are partnering with you (the ambassadors) in the advocacy towards sustainable growth and development of the community, he added.

The ambassadors will be collaborating their advocacies and activity proposals to the OSHC-REU6 for possible partnerships and assistance.

Displaced OFWs complete safety and health training

Source: The Daily Guardian | Vol. XVII | Monday, April 30, 2018

OSHC Celebrates World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2018

Safety Practitioner: A Roaring Career Opportunity for Displaced OFWs

The Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Regional Welfare Office VI (OWWA-RWO VI), conducted an OSH orientation for the registered displaced OFWs at the OWWA-RWO VI Training Room, Robinsons Mall, Iloilo City.

The activity was done to enlighten the displaced OFWs about the roaring career opportunities if they will pursue the path of an accredited safety practitioner of the country.

The general public, nowadays, is becoming more conscious about the seriousness of safety and health at work, especially in Western Visayas.

With the recent news about fatalities and deaths related to occupational safety and health (OSH), a concerned citizen would wonder keenly if what "entity" is the vital safeguard between OSH vs. accident at work. How can that entity prevent workers from going home with broken/lost limbs or dreadful work-related illnesses?

The knight in shining armor that we seek is a SAFETY PRACTITIONER. One with sufficient training and experience on OSH based on set standards and accredited by the OSHC. Currently, there are only 32 accredited OSH practitioners versus 523 hazardous establishments that need full-time safety officers in the region.

The OSHC is maximizing its efforts to provide displaced OFWs with the basic knowledge and skills on occupational safety and health (OSH) that will enable them in the promotion of a culture on OSH in their locality and to provide development opportunities that will capacitate them in a career on OSH both in the local and international level.

Finally, with the "BUILD, BUILD, BUILD" Project of the Duterte Administration, we will expect more building of infrastructures and the development of various industries. Hence, the demand for more accredited safety practitioners in the entire region.// MM