NSSA in workplace compliance blitz

Sunday Mail Reporter

THE National Social Security Authority ( NSSA) is conducting joint operations with the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Social Welfare to check compliance levels of companies to Covid-19 guidelines.

The checks are in line with NSSA’s mandate to promote health and safety at the workplace under its Accident Prevention and Workers Compensation Scheme ( APWCS).

NSSA acting general manager Mr Arthur Manase said businesses should strive to strike a balance between productivity and employee safety.

“In line with our mandate to promote health and safety at work, NSSA has embarked on a campaign to help companies craft ways of combating the spread of coronavirus,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we sometimes face resistance from some people because they fear. However, company visits by a regulator do not mean arrests. We have challenges with the informal sector; it is difficult to access and regulate.”

Mr Manase said Covid-19 had changed the business operating environment, thus industry and commerce should re-engineer processes to fight biological risks such as the coronavirus.

“The challenge for business is how to strike a balance between worker’s safety and productivity. It is about surviving as a business and ensuring that workers continue to earn their wages. Unfortunately, some of the current work processes put the worker at Covid-19 risk. This must change,” he said.

“Workers are important players in the fight against the virus. Social distancing and handwashing have proved to be useful in combating the spread of the virus.

“If one suspects that they have symptoms of coronavirus or have been in contact with someone with Covid-19, please self-isolate. You should be in a position to protect your co-workers and others.”