Around 1,300 people viewed the web seminar titled “In the face of a pandemic: Ensuring Safety and Health at Work”, representing government officials, labour inspectors, workers, employers, academia, OSH practitioners and students. It aimed to raise the awareness regarding responses and actions taken at both global and national level against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The webinar on COVID-19 and OSH to commemorate the World OSH Day
The discussion was conducted in a webinar and in conjunction with the commemoration of the World OSH Day on 28 April.
Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO for Indonesia, emphasized the importance of international labour standards, particularly ILO conventions related to OSH. “The ILO’s OSH Convention No. 155 and its Recommendation provides essential tools for governments, employers and workers to establish sound prevention and protection measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the world of work,” she said in her opening remark.
The ILO’s OSH Convention No. 155 and its Recommendation provides essential tools for governments, employers and workers to establish sound prevention and protection measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the world of work.”
Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO for Indonesia
The web seminar presented Dr Ghazmahadi, Director of OSH Inspection of the Ministry of Manpower, Fatma Lestari, OSH expert and lecturer from University of Indonesia and Grace M. Halim, technical officer from ILO’s Lab/Admin OSH. They shared the importance of OSH as protective and preventive measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Ministry of Manpower has established an online service named Corona’s OSH online service, aimed to provide information, consultation and complaint service for workers, employers and public at large about COVID-19. We receive an average of 100-150 queries every day, ranging from basic information about the contagion, preventive actions to workplace safety and rights at work,” stated Dr Ghazmahadi.
Meanwhile, Fatma Lestari explained the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic to the society and workplace. She emphasized the importance of preventive actions that should be taken by individuals to stop the spread of the virus. “Every person has an obligation to take actions by as simple as wearing masks to avoid transmission of droplets to working from home,” she added.
The Ministry of Manpower has established an online service named Corona’s OSH online service, aimed to provide information, consultation and complaint service for workers, employers and public at large about COVID-19. We receive an average of 100-150 queries every day.”
Dr Ghazmahadi, Director of OSH Inspection of the Ministry of Manpower
As the title of the web seminar was in line with the ILO’s latest report, Grace M. Halim highlighted the ILO’s latest OSH report. The report explores measures to prevent and control the risk of contagion, psychosocial risks, ergonomic and other work-related safety and health risks associated with the pandemic.
She highlighted OSH social dialogue as key to build and strengthen communications and cooperation between workers and employers. “Through social dialogue, both workers and employers can ensure the implementation of the preventive and protective measures, adopt responsible behaviours and discuss business continuity plan,” Grace emphasized.
During the interactive discussion session, queries posed by the enthusiast participants were regarding measures that should be taken at the workplace during and post the outbreak of COVID-19, whether COVID-19 disease could be categorized as occupational disease and effectivity of rapid test.
The web seminar concluded with suggested measures during the recovery or return to work. They included measures to strengthen information and communication to workers and employers, continuing information sharing and education as well as increasing alertness and preventive actions.
The web seminar was also part of the DK3N weekly web seminar named GO DK3N. Since the commencement of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, DK3N has reached out to thousands of Indonesian people, particularly young people, increasing awareness and sharing information related to COVID-19 and OSH.
