Maputo, 26 Apr (AIM) – The Mozambican Labour Ministry recorded, over the past year, a total of 731 work-related accidents across the country.
In these accidents, 14 workers lost their lives, 83 were permanently disabled, 73 suffered partial, but permanent incapacity, while 561 cases resulted in temporary incapacity.
According to Labour Minister Margarida Talapa, speaking on Thursday, at the National Conference on Health and Safety at Work, held to mark World Labour Day (celebrated on 28 April), these figures do not reflect the reality of the country due to a lack of communication on the part of some companies.
“We are fully aware that the information presented is far from portraying the reality, as there are still many companies that do not report accidents, thus limiting the access of workers or their dependents to their rights”, she said.
Talapa said the data for the first three months of the current year is not yet available, but will soon be announced.
Talapa also stressed her Ministry’s concern at the impact of climate change, which is affecting health and safety at work. “Global warming, leading to a rise in average temperatures imposes the need to adopt practices to protect workers’ health”, she said.
When questioned about the existence of some companies that forbid the creation of workers’ organizations to safeguard their rights, the minister promised that “the government will work to raise awareness so that these companies allow the creation of trade unions.”
(AIM)
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