Workers Compensation, small-scale contractors ink safety pact

By NATION REPORTER WORKERS Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Association for Small and Medium Scale Contractors to mitigate occupational accidents and diseases in the country.

:&)&% &hief ([ecutive Officer, Dr (li]abeth Nkumbula said she was optimistic that through the 0oU, the board would offer an opportunity to members of the association to access various benefits under the scheme.

6peaking during the 0oU signing at the :&)&% offices in Ndola, Dr Nkumbula said she was confident that the association would appreciate the free safety and health education to be provided to the employeers by the board.

6he said the safety and health education was important for the association as it was meant to mitigate occupational accidents and diseases among other things. “7he board wishes to assure the association of its commitment to the provision of guidance on all matters relating to interpretation of workers compensation $&7 NO. of . 7he %oard will also provide guidance on the registration requirements of the new entrants through its branch network.

“7hrough the 0oU, the board will also provide free workshops on compliance and befits of the scheme to all members of the association as well as free occupational health and safety inspections and training to all members of the association,´ she said.

0eanwhile, National $ssociation for 6mall and 0edium 6cale &ontractors *eneral 6ecretary, Daniel 6imumba said the construction sector e[perienced a number of occupational accidents besides mines, hence, the 0oU was very important to the association.

0r 6imumba said both contractors in the formal and informal sector needed to be sensitised on the importance of safety and health education due to the various construction works which were going on around the country.

+e said the partnership with the :&)&% was inevitable in promoting the health and safety of contractors because there were many contractors across the country who had no idea bout services the board offered.

$t the same function, :&)&% 5evenue 0anager, $ndrew .alima assured the contractors that the board would provide proper service delivery to inMured employees.

0r .alima noted that the 0oU was necessary to enhance the good workmanship of the association’s employees.