According to a release from the Occupational Safety and Health Department, Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir will lead the exercise, which will include three job fairs, a massive inspection and public awareness campaign. It follows similar activities held during the latter part of 2009 in regions Three, Four and Seven.
The release added that residents, especially job-seekers, will have the opportunity to access training, employment opportunities as well as being counselled and tested for HIV. The release stated that at the outreach, at which some 500 persons are expected to take part, the general public, employers and workers will also have the opportunity to learn about the labour laws, with attention paid to overtime, holidays with pay, safety and health protocols as well as child labour.
Nadir, in commenting on the exercise, stated that the Labour Occupational Safety and Health Department, the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) and the Board of Industrial Training have performed well in 2009 and the Ministry continues to seek to improve the services it provides to the people. The Minister stated that the recent EPTSI Baseline Survey stated that only 35% of the youths are aware of the training opportunities offered, and according to Nadir there are over 100 unfilled vacancies in the CRMA. He said that the Ministry will continue with its “strenuous activities” to eliminate child labour and to reduce the incidence of HIV and AIDS.
The Labour Ministry is calling on Non-Governmental Organisations, employers and unions to encourage persons to “come out and learn” about the services which are available.
