NISCN TASKS WORKERS ON WORKPLACE DISEASES.

Workers in both public and private sector in the country were on Monday advised to be careful and do everything possible to prevent attracting diseases that are associated with their respective nature of jobs. The National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) gave this advice on Monday at a seminar to mark the 2013 edition of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, held at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Lagos. The theme was “Prevention of occupational diseases”. Speaking at the seminar, the Chairman of NISCN, Mr. Tunji Sekoni said the organization strongly believe that prevention of occupational diseases is best done when a system that is consistent in committing both employer and employee to health and safety in the workplace is created. Sekoni added that social dialogue is another system that compliments the Employee Compensation Act by placing the responsibilities of inspection on the workers and employers themselves in cordial and harmonious manner. According to him, Nigeria is getting it right with Employee Compensation Act which is said to be a no-fault-scheme and has the potency of forcing employers to be more efficient in managing safety in the workplace. Lecturing on the Employee Compensation Act (ECA), the director of National Social Insurance Trust Fund, Mr. Davidson Enwere said the main feature of the law is to minimize financial losses, reduce personal, physical and emotional suffering likewise encourage and promote safety in the workplace. He said an employee is covered on death, injuries, mental stress, occupational diseases and healthcare in as much as these happen to him on the way to and from workplace and in the field of duty. And that such employee could only claim compensation if he notifies the employer of the related injury or illness within 14 days. Also speaking, the Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of International Labour Organization, Mr. Shado Olawale who delivered a lecture on the “Place of social dialogue in safety system – the way forward”, said social dialogue is the type of negotiation that helps to boost and promote economic progress. He said information sharing as well as consultation and bargaining are the most effective means of exchanging views in social dialogue. Olawale also said judicious, skillful and enlightened use of social dialogue, information sharing and consultation among social partners on issue of safety must elient strong political will and commitment on the part of all stakeholders.

Adeniyi Adunola and Adebisi Olonade