ASIA - OHSE WATCH

LABOUR UPDATES

A two-day HIV/ AIDS advisory committee meeting of the Global Unions will be held in ILO Geneva. The objective of the two-day meeting is to review the work being done and strategically plan for the future Global Unions work on HIV/ AIDS. Among others, representatives of ICFTU and GUFs will report on their HIV/AIDS policies, materials, programs, and past and present efforts. For the donors, they will appraise the Committee of their strategic plan for HIV/ AIDS activities, specific HIV/AIDS programs they support, and future strategies and budget allocation for HIV/ AIDS activities.

2006 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING IN BEIJING

In order to promote occupational safety training, intensify international exchange and cooperation, and improve occupational safety situation, the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWAS) plans to hold "International Conference on occupational Safety Training" in Landmark Towers Hotel, Beijing, China on April, 2006. The Conference is jointly sponsored with the International Labour Office (ILO) and organized by the National Institute for Occupational Safety (NIOS), with the theme "Safety First, Prevention Foremost". It is essential to establish a long-term effective mechanism for occupational safety. It is also an important part of occupational safety management and supervision. As a prime means to reduce occupational accidents and diseases, the occupational safety training is given full attention in the developed countries where the low death rates of occupational accidents result from their strict and effective safety training. China should learn from them about feasible and effective experiences. www.coalinfo.net.cn/english.htm

LO/FTF CONDUCTS THEMATIC WORKSHOPS IN MARCH

The LO/FTF, in relation to two programs of the Council in Asia, which were recently approved by the Danish Ministry of Foreign affairs conducted thematic workshops on 27 - 29 March 2006 at OHSEI. The two projects are (1) Trade Union in the Informal Economy in Asia (2006 - 7), including support to the partner organizations SEWA, NTUC/GEFONT and NUBCW; and (2) Social Dialogue and Democracy in Asia (2006 - 7), including support to the partner organizations PSLINK, PWF and BILS. Both programs include funds for a 'Best Practice and Lessons Learnt" component, where partner organizations contribute jointly based on their own and other experiences to develop successful strategies and approaches to deal with the challenges of the new globalised economy. The outputs of the workshops included two best practices papers on strategies and lessons leant within specified themes. 

GLOBAL UNION TARGETS ASBESTOS INDUSTRY FOR WORLD ASBESTOS BAN CAMPAIGN

The Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) General Secretary, Anita Normark, appealed to all trade unions to join the effort to help convince the Canadian Government to recognize that asbestos is the world's biggest industrial killer and that it should be banned in all countries. Ms. Normark said: "Today's exposures guarantee an epidemic lasting at least another generation, with the asbestos graveyards shifting from the developed to the developing world."Canada is one of the largest exporters of asbestos said Normark. Russia, China and Brazil are also big producers and exporters of asbestos, The BWI actions will be organized in time for the 28 April "International Workers Memorial Day". http://www.ifbww.org/index.cfm?n=44&l=2&c=1704&on=2

Seven companies from the food and beverage industry in Singapore have pledged their support to help cut down on the amount of packaging waste being disposed of locally. The effort is part of a new voluntary agreement put together by the National Environment Agency, which wants to further reduce the 7,000 tons per day of solid waste generated each year. http://www.csr-asia.com/upload/csrasiaweeklyvol2week11.pdf 

HIV-AIDS

BILL AIMS TO END HIV/AIDS DISCRIMINATION AT WORK

The Korean government is pushing for revision of a law on HIV/AIDS to prevent discrimination at work against people infected with the disease, reports the Korea Herald (March 14). Under the amendment, employers are obliged to treat carriers of HIV equally in terms of employment, promotion and other personnel affairs. Violators could face one year in prison or a 3 million won fine. The current law does not have provisions, which guarantee the work rights of HIV carriers and only restricts their employment in occupations where there is possibility of transmission of the virus. The government intends to submit the bill to the National Assembly in the first half of this year. http://www.csr-asia.com/upload/csrasiaweeklyvol2week11.pdf

OHSEI through Mr. Ng Wei Khiang presented a paper at the Health and Safety Forum 2006 held at the Grand Plaza Parkroyal. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 20 - 21 March 2006. The conference theme is "The safety of the people shall be the highest law". The conference featured international case study presentations, case studies and experts' advise. Participants of the conference gained practical insights on providing employees with capabilities, knowledge and resources to instill health and safety values to achieve OHS excellence, avoiding costly liabilities by integrating health and safety management into every aspect of an organization's culture, and reducing operational risks, among others.

 FNV-LO/FTF-OHSEI PROJECT TRAINING (PART 2) 

OHSEI will implement the second part (OSH component) of the training for the FNV/LO/FT/OHSEI OSH and CSR as a vehicle for Organising and Social Dialogue on June 25 - July 4, 2006. This segment of the training will focus on (1) Developing effective OHSE intervention Program, (2) Developing project proposals on OHSE. Lessons learnt and the various constraints in implementing the project will also be discussed during the workshops. There will be case studies as well. The participants will come from the different trade unions implementing the project in their respective countries and who attended the first part of the training last year.