Malaysia Ratifies C187 Convention

PUTRAJAYA, July 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is the third country in Asia after Japan and South Korea to ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Promotional Fremework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention 2006 (C187), said Human Resource Minister Dr S. Subramaniam. He said the signing of the C187 with ILO showed the government's commitment in ensuring occupational safety and health. "We can meet the safety standards set by the international body. This is also a commitment by the government to make sure the health and safety of employees in the country are protected," he told reporters after launching the national-level Occupational Safety and Health Week 2012, here on Monday. On June 7, Malaysia confirmed the ILO Convention on Occupational Safety and Health to join developed countries in putting safety and health first at the workplace. In line with the confirmation, Malaysia also agreed to be monitored by the ILO in matters related to occupational health and safety and to meet its high standards. Dr Subramaniam said the government was serious in reducing occupational accidents as well as accidents to or from the workplace. "Overall, a total of 59,897 accidents were reported by Socso (Social Security Organisation) in 2011 compared to 57,639 accidents in 2010, which shows an increase of 3.92 per cent. "However, holistically, the number of occupational accidents recorded last year was 3.4 per thousand workers compared to 2007, whereby 4.52 per thousand workers were recorded. This decrease is a relief, therefore, we must make more efforts to reduce this figure further," he added. Dr Subramaniam said employers and employees need to unite and cooperate to improve the level of occupational safety and health in Malaysia. He said the government welcomed suggestions and views from workers to reduce occupational accidents and accidents to and from the work place. Also present were Deputy Minister Senator Maznah Mazlan, who is also chairman of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH), and Socso Chief Executive Officer K.Selvaraj. -- BERNAMA