Sri Lanka launches national guidelines for bipartite OSH committees on World Day for Safety and Health at Work

The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment announced the nationwide rollout of guidelines on establishing bipartite Occupational Safety and Health ( OSH) committees at workplaces during the “World Day for Safety and Health at Work” event on the 28 April 2023.

The guidelines were initially developed by Better Work Sri Lanka program, a joint initiative between the International Labour Organisation ( ILO) and the International Finance Corporation ( IFC), specifically for the country’s garment industry. The nationwide rollout marks a significant step towards improving health, safety, and overall well-being for the workforce in Sri Lanka.

The event brought together more than 280 participants, comprising representatives from Government institutions, leading industries, trade unions, development partners, the Employers Federation of Ceylon ( EFC), the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), and international buyers.

The event introduced the national guidelines on bipartite OSH committees, a platform composed of management and union/ worker representatives with different roles, expertise, and experiences to assist the employer in creating a culture of safety to improve the workforce’s physical and mental health, safety, and well- being. Emphasis has been placed on ensuring female representation in the bipartite OSH committees to encourage them to take leadership in OSH functions. Furthermore, the initiative creates a platform for good communication, coordination and cooperation between workers, their representatives and employers.

This national rollout is seen as a significant and timely step for OSH. The right to a “safe and healthy working environment” was included as one of the ILO’s fundamental principles and rights at work in June 2022.

During the event, Chief Guest Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara highlighted the importance of prioritising a safe and healthy work environment for all workers nationwide. “Respecting, promoting, and realising the absolute right to a safe and healthy working environment is of utmost importance,” he noted. “OSH is a fundamental right for all workers, and we are committed to creating a sustainable and resilient future for them.”

ILO Sri Lanka Country Director Simrin Singh echoed this sentiment, emphasising the need to implement strong OSH measures across all sectors to cater to the different requirements of workplaces. “We also need to prioritise OSH, using bipartite committees as an example and a testament of the relevant stakeholders’ collective ability to safeguard employees, ultimately leading to increased productivity,” she stated.

Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment Secretary R . P. A . Wimalaweera added that it is crucial to implement OSH measures from the grassroots level, especially within

SMEs, by taking a multidimensional approach. He stressed the need for legislative and regulatory frameworks for OSH in line with conventions, stating that OSH is not just a moral obligation but a legal right.

“Employers and employees must prioritise safety and health through implementing new regulations, employee training, safety committees, and cultivating a safety- first culture. Personal protective equipment alone is insufficient for a safe work environment,” said Commissioner

General of Labour B. K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi.

Looking towards the future, Better Work Sri Lanka program Head Kesava Murali Kanapathy expressed the importance of effective partnerships with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the right to a safe and healthy working environment is upheld. “The nation-wide adoption of the guidelines is a milestone for the country and the right step to promoting OSH,” he said.

The event also featured panel discussion on

a the importance of OSH and OSH as a fundamental right, moderated by Occupational Health and Hygiene Practitioner and WSHA Secretary Dr. Aseni Wickramatillake. The panellists included National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Director General Dr. Ni rma l i e Champ ika Amarasinghe; Additional Commissioner General of Labour ( Engineering) Eng. E. Abeysiriwardena, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon ( EFC) Director General/ Chief Executive

Officer Vajira Ellepola and Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) General- Secretary Leslie Devendra.

With COVID- 19 having spotlighted the importance of health and safety, Devendra stated that Trade Unions are now prioritising OSH in the workplace. “Fighting for a survival wage has always been a priority among trade unions in a developing country like ours, but following the pandemic, we in the leadership see OSH as one of the top priorities in the workplace,” he said.

M e a n w h i l e, EFC Director General and CEO Vajira Ellepola stressed, “Collaboration and communication between workers, their representatives, and employers to create an effective OSH management system is critical. Through the implementation of bipartite committees, we hope that we recognise health and safety as fundamental principles and rights at work.”

During the panel discussion, the speakers agreed that with OSH being declared a fundamental principle and right, workers and employers see employee safety as a common area of interest which can be enabled through a robust regulatory framework that encourages a culture of safety and well-being in the workplace.