Government pledges collaboration on worker safety, seeks feedback
GGML’s Shadya Jamili (right) is presented with the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) 2024 award for overall best exhibitor by Patrobas Katambi (left), the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Disability). Looking on is Ms Mary Ngelela, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry. PHOTO |CORRESPONDENT
What you need to know:
- The government would continue to work with all employers and called on companies and institutions to submit comments on any policy obstacles that were hindering sectoral development.
Arusha. The government has promised to deal with all policy matters that hinder the employment and safety of workers, challenging employers to submit comments in case of any obstacle.
Deputy Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (Labour, Youth, Employment and Disability), Mr Patrobas Katambi, said the government was proud to have employers who value their employees because they are the only resource that brings the expected results.
“In this year’s exhibition, I have certainly learned from many companies that you are very loyal and have great integrity in following labour laws in the workplace. I congratulate you all,” said Mr Katambi, who presided over the 2024 Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) gala dinner last week.
He also promised that the government would continue to work with all employers and called on companies and institutions to submit comments on any policy obstacles that were hindering sectoral development.
“We are ready to deal with all matters that are policy-related to ensure that you contribute to the production of national income. Therefore, even if it is a matter of law, we are ready to change it because the law is not pure. It will be changed,” he said.
During the gala dinner, Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML) won three awards, including the overall best exhibitor award for 2024.
At this year’s exhibitions, held from April 23 to 30, the company won the award for the best company focusing on corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues in occupational health and safety projects. It was also awarded first runner-up for the best company in the mining sector award, the firm said in a statement.
GGML’s senior manager for health, safety, and environment, Dr Kiva Mvungi, thanked the government through Osha for organising the exhibition.
He also promised that GGML will continue to manage its value of safety first in the workplace, as mining activities are one of the areas that are dangerous for workers.
“I promise that GGML will continue to maintain the record we have set for ourselves, where for more than 15 years now, we have not had a fatality in the workplace, nor have we had an employee suffer an injury that prevented them from coming to work the next day,” he said.
