As the world moves towards commemorating the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on Wednesday under the theme “Investing in Resilient Occupational Safety and Health Systems”, the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) are working on instilling safe work practices in the informal sector.

Towards this, NSSA and ILO are currently piloting a programme that is designed to assist informal sector players in managing hazards brought about by the coronavirus. The programme is underway in three locations, Bulawayo, Chinhoyi and Chivhu.

NSSA’s Deputy Director – Marketing and Communication, Tendai Mutseyekwa, said the current projects were in Bulawayo (OK Mart SMEs, Pick n Pay and BCC site 7 Food Markets), Chivhu Food Market and Chinhoyi Food Market.

“The programme is aimed at building resilience and reducing vulnerabilities in occupational safety and health (OSH) systems in the informal sector through several OSH and covid-19 response programmes.

“Areas of focus include water provision, workstation re-design and Covid 19 prevention measures. The programme was designed from information obtained after needs and risk assessments were conducted in the sites together with the beneficiaries.

“Training programmes included group awareness sessions, a train the trainer course which brought together various stakeholders drawn from central and local government, worker organisations, among others. The training covered first aid training for the beneficiaries as an emergency preparedness measure for any eventualities in the workplace,” said Mutseyekwa.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is celebrated annually on 28 April, to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally.

A virtual commemoration of the day will be hosted by NSSA in conjunction with social partners such as, ILO, the ZCTU, ZFTU the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Union, EMCOZ and local authorities.