By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 26: The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) aims to raise awareness among employers and employees about the need for more occupational safety and health (OSH) measures in the workplace, as well as to protect employees’ welfare and rights.
Niosh chairman Chong Chieng Jen emphasised the importance of OSH in Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), stating that it is frequently overlooked and underappreciated.
He further emphasised that workplace injuries and illnesses can be costly for any business.
“The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimated that workplace injury and illness could cost 4 per cent of global GDP (gross domestic product) in terms of medical bills, lost productivity, and work interruption.
“In 2022, Malaysia had 222 workplace injuries and 2.16 fatalities per 100,000 workers.
“We will do our best to create more awareness among employers and employees of the need for more OSH measures at the workplace, also for the protection of employees’ welfare and rights. Let’s do it together and move towards a safer workplace,” he said in a statement.
Chong, who is also Stampin MP, stated that this morning marked his first Board of Directors meeting at Niosh headquarters. — DayakDaily
