Labour inspection kicks off in Mozambican Ports

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Labour inspection kicks off in Mozambican Ports

1:18 CAT | 12 Apr 2016

The General Labour Inspectorate’s country-wide inspection begins today with a month-long port sector campaign to check compliance with labour legislation at cargo handling facilities.

The campaign will monitor accidents and occupational disease prevention measures, training programs and the signalling of dangers as provided for by legislation. The audit will cover both water and dry ports, some belonging to the Mozambique Railways company.

The port sector records the highest incidence of accidents at work, not only because of the complexity of its operatio, but also due to negligence on the part of both workers and employers. Specific inspections will be conducted into occupational diseases, because port workers often handle products that are toxic or potentially harmful to health.

A new health and safety regime, described by the government and its partners as cutting edge and aligned with the new market dynamics, has been in force since March 2014, replacing outdated 1957 legislation.

Previous legislation was considered out of sync with the current state of labour relations, not only as far as coverage was concerned, but also as regards pensions and compensation. It had not been updated and the needs of beneficiaries had not been taken into consideration. It was also discriminatory, containing references to ‘indigenous’ workers.

The new legislation has simplified compensation in the event of an accident, and employers are now required to take preventive measures and insure against the risk of accidents and occupational diseases.

The new law makes provision for funeral allowance twice the minimum wage by sector of activity. Pensions and compensations are now updated regularly whenever the national minimum wage is adjusted and cannot be less than 60 percent of the national applicable minimum wage in the sector.

The new legislation also covers the company’s liability in the hospital treatment of a worker injured or suffering from an occupational disease contracted as a result of his work.

Source: Notícias