KUALA LUMPUR: Many businesses will have to reassess how they will restore their performance once they are on the mend, even after two years of struggle in the pandemic.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong said this during the pre-launch ceremony of the 23rd Occupational Safety and Health Conference and Exhibition (COSH 2022) yesterday (March 15).
He said companies must analyse market demand, the number of employees available with the necessary skills, restructure costing and other production determinants.
“The theme of this conference is very appropriate and will assist in making the right decisions to a certain extent.
“It will be an opportunity for the decision-makers to share their views that can be of help to others.
“As we all are aware, the market demand is very volatile and dynamic; meaning it is not static at any time. This is the challenge to all the industrialists and right decisions need to be made at the right time,” he added.
Wilson also reminded that consuming the latest information on the market would help make informed decisions and that firms must take note of several factors that must be carefully assessed in order to avoid derailing all efforts, particularly those relating to workers of safety and health.
He hoped that employers and other stakeholders will pay due attention to workers’ health and safety concerns as the country is transitioning into the endemic phase.
“I should mention that the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Bill 2020 has been approved by parliament in the Dewan Rakyat last year.
“The amendment is considered a new milestone to the field of occupational safety and health in Malaysia.
“The amendment took cognisance of the provisions under the International Labour Convention (C 155) adopted by the International Labour Organisation 1981, in Geneva, Switzerland.
“The amended bill is expected to introduce heavier penalties for the companies (employer) who violate the required safety measures.
“It should be realised that stiffer penalties are meant to be a deterrent only and not to punish the employers in anyway,” he said.
He added that there will be a detailed discussion on this at the conference and any doubts pertaining to the provisions can be verified by the experts concerned.
“Our industries must ensure that they fall in line and compete globally to succeed and we are second to none in this regard,” he stated.
The conference which carries the theme “Resilience Towards New Challenges” conveys the message that all stakeholders should be prepared to face the new challenges in order to survive the New World Order of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).
The conference will take place at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on August 29-30.
