Putting prevention first and treating both symptoms and root causes - News Article for the 8th China International Forum on Work Safety

Ms Deborah Greenfield, Deputy Director-General for Policy of the ILO, stressed that occupational safety and health is a human right defined in national laws and international labour standards. It goes to the heart of family well-being, community sustainability, and enterprise investment.

News | 27 September 2016
BEIJING (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) of the People’s Republic of China jointly held the 8th China International Forum on Work Safety between 27 and 29 September, 2016. The theme of this year’s forum surrounds “putting prevention first and treating both symptoms and root causes”.

Ms Deborah Greenfield, Deputy Director-General for Policy of the ILO, stressed that occupational safety and health is a human right defined in national laws and international labour standards. It goes to the heart of family well-being, community sustainability, and enterprise investment. She endorsed the achievements China has made in reinforcing its national OSH systems and identified several key issues that China confronts. Domestically, special attention is required for health care workers and rural migrant workers. As Chinese firms go global as part of the One Belt One Road Initiative, upholding internationally recognized safety and health practices will be a key challenge for companies on the global supply chains. Ms. Greenfield reassured that the ILO will continue to support the Chinese government and the social partners to ensure safe and healthy workplaces in the pursuit of Decent Work for all women and men.

Mr Yang Huanning, Minister of SAWS, said that China, as the largest developing country in the world, faces emerging problems and challenges in the process of rapid economic development and profound social change. The Chinese government strives to deepen the ongoing economic reform, and is taking every measure to continuously promote the awareness of scientific and safe development, and build a safe and healthy work environment. He praised the forum for providing a platform for governments, employers and workers, domestic and abroad, to share knowledge and expertise to improve safety and health at work and in society as a whole.

Debuting in 2002, the Forum was established jointly by the ILO and the SAWS. It is held every two years, in collaboration with the International Association of Labour Inspection (IALI) and International Social Security Association (ISSA). The forum aims at promoting a preventative occupational safety and health (OSH) culture at both national and international levels.

Also presenting at the opening and keynote session were high-level government officials, delegates from international organizations, research institutions, and enterprises from China and around the world. In the coming days, panels and technical sessions to address workplace compliance, risk assessment and control as well as major hazards control are organized to exchange experiences and good practices.