MINSK, 7 December (BelTA) – On the initiative of the Labor and Social Security Ministry of Belarus, the draft new general agreement between the government, the national employers' associations and trade unions has incorporated the basic approaches that will contribute to the promotion of the zero occupational accident concept in the country, Labor and Social Security Minister Irina Kostevich told the media, BelTA has learned.
“Decent work is defined not only by salaries but also by working conditions. In Belarus the level of injuries has reduced considerably over the past ten years. But it increased in 2018 as compared to 2017. We are currently analyzing the causes of this. We must shift our focus toward prevention again, including through the promotion of the concept of zero harm. There are seven rules, which are divided into major areas: safety, occupational health and welfare of workers at all levels of production,” the minister noted. She explained that this concept is embedded in the general agreement between the government, the national employers associations and trade unions. “The general agreement will be signed in December,” Irina Kostevich said.
The concept developed by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) was launched at the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2017 in Singapore on 4 September 2017. It aims to inculcate a mindset that all injuries and ill health arising from work are preventable. It calls for an effective paradigm to prevent injuries and ill health. Russia and the ISSA have already signed the relevant memorandum of commitment to the initiative. Belarus is looking into the possibilities of signing such a document as well.
On 7 December Minsk is hosting a joint board meeting of the Belarusian Labor and Social Security Ministry and the Russian Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. The participants of the meeting are considering issues relating to the improvement of mechanisms to prevent industrial injuries, develop information systems in the social security sector in both countries, and are also taking stock of progress in the implementation of the agreements made at the previous meeting.
Such joint meetings have been held regularly since 2009 to exchange experience. Many themes discussed in the previous years have resulted in concrete steps in both the countries. This year Belarus has approved a strategy to improve the National System of Qualifications. Approaches to improve remuneration of labor in the budget-financed sector were considered at the recent government's meeting chaired by the president. The Belarusian Labor and Social Security Ministry has developed the first human resources balance sheet through 2023.
