Unions celebrate “victories” in revised OSH Code of Practice in Forestry Work
Ofori highlighted the essential role of trade unions in organising workers for collective bargaining and ensuring safe and healthy workplaces. "This house must understand that the trade union raison d'être is to organise workers for collective bargaining purposes. Union is the global agency for workers to improve their working and living conditions and for the purpose of this Code of Practice to ensure that they are accorded safe and health workplaces. Nothing short of ILO Core Conventions as expressed in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work with the inclusion of occupational safety and health is acceptable to us. This is the reason why the 'fundamentals' are very important in all our submission and articulation during our debates; and we will proudly do it again and again in all similar engagements."
The updated Code of Practice is seen as a critical milestone in improving health and safety conditions in the forestry sector, one of the higher-risk industries. Ofori stressed that the Code's effectiveness depends on the implementation of aligned national laws, regulations, and workplace agreements. He emphasised several key victories in the revised Code: the reaffirmation of safe and healthy workplaces as a fundamental workers' right, the inclusion of the entire supply chain in the Code's coverage, the establishment of Joint Trade Union and Management OSH Committees with resources from employers, and the recognition of decent work deficits as causes of psychosocial risks.
As the meeting concluded, Ofori expressed optimism that the revised Code of Practice would guide policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders in promoting safety and health in forestry work. He urged the ILO and Workers' Organizations to collaborate on developing training programs and educational materials in various languages. Ofori called for continued consultation before the official publication of these resources. He looked forward to ongoing cooperation in advancing forestry safety and health, and he thanked all participants for their dedication, wishing them safe travels and success in their future endeavors.