Usamate: Safe Work Setting Key To Better Output
Trying to solve workers compensation, overtime, annual leave or sick leaves more than six years old is “problematic”.
Employers should provide a safe working environment for their employees, says the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Employment Relations, Jone Usamate.
The minister also said it was essential for any workplace to have an Occupational Health and Safety committee if the business had more than 20 employees.
“Our major focus is on ensuring a safe working place for all employees. This will be a major investment by the business,” the minister said yesterday during the public consultation at the Ba Civic Centre. He also believes a safe workplace will encourage worker productivity as well.
Another issue Mr Usamate raised was the need for people to raise claims in a timely manner. “For workers compensation, overtime, annual leave or sick leaves not paid—there is a six-year timeline in place to process your claims,” he said. “If people came to the office now claiming something that had happened more than six years ago, then it tends to become problematic for the ministry to assist them.
“It’s very important that any complaint is brought up early to us so that we can look into it.” Mr Usamate also voiced concerns about bogus sick-sheets. He said one employer had raised the concern that many of his employees were providing false sick-sheets.
“The issue of bogus sick sheets is an epidemic,” he said.
“Sick sheets should only be provided by a certified general practitioner. It is a major dishonesty on the side of employees,” he said. Edited by Naisa Koroi