EMPLOYERS have the responsibility to protect the safety and health of their workers and pay particular attention to young workers, says Minister for Employment, Industrial Relations and Productivity Jone Usamate.
While marking World Day for Safety and Health at Work in Lautoka last week, he said employers must carry out risk assessments before a young person started work and put in place measures to protect them.
“Young workers should be given appropriate work and provided with enough training and supervision,” he said.
“Employers, you should promote a strong safety culture and involve young workers in safety matters. Leadership and culture are important in understanding and influencing a young worker’s behaviour.”
“Everyone who works with a young worker has the ability to demonstrate effective leadership in work health and safety to positively influence a worker’s values and beliefs, risk perception, motivation, safety knowledge, compliance and participation.”
He said young people should be given safe and healthy jobs that were within their capabilities.
