Amman, April 28 (Petra) – Minister of Labor Khaled Bakar on Monday launched the 19th National Occupational Safety and Health Week under the slogan: "With updated legislation... and a positive culture... we create a safe work environment."

The event reflects the Ministry's role in raising awareness of the importance of occupational safety and health, educating employers, workers, and the broader community on the value of investing in this sector, and strengthening communication and coordination among all relevant parties across the Kingdom.

Bakar said the week affirms the government's commitment to safeguarding the human element and promoting a safe and healthy work environment across all sectors. This national initiative coincides with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, marked annually on April 28.

He explained that the activities held during the week form part of the Occupational Safety and Health Strategy for the Prevention and Reduction of Work-Related Accidents and Injuries (2023–2027), which serves as a comprehensive roadmap for fostering a safer work environment. The strategy aims to enhance compliance with safety legislation through awareness campaigns, inspections, specialized workshops, educational material distribution, and the development and updating of relevant regulations.

Bakar noted that the week strengthens public-private sector partnerships, underscores the importance of updating occupational safety and health practices and legislation in line with international standards, and encourages institutions to adopt effective preventive policies that protect lives and preserve human capital the cornerstone of sustainable development.

He emphasized that these efforts help address growing challenges arising from industrial and economic development, as well as the impact of digitization and artificial intelligence on workplace safety, by advancing prevention measures, regulatory oversight, and institutional efficiency.

He added that the Ministry has worked to develop occupational safety and health regulations and decisions to enhance worker protection and reduce workplace injuries by boosting employer compliance across various sectors.

Speaking during the event, President of the Amman and Jordan Chambers of Industry, Fathi Jaghbir, commended the Ministry of Labor's efforts to strengthen the occupational safety and health system in partnership with stakeholders. He noted that the industrial sector’s low rate of work-related injuries reflects its strong commitment to protecting the human element, which he described as the backbone of the production process.

President of the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions, Khaled Fanatseh, reaffirmed the Federation’s ongoing cooperation with the Ministry to maintain a safe working environment, stressing the centrality of occupational safety and health to safeguarding workers from workplace hazards.

For her part, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Kordula Mehlhart, expressed pride in the ongoing cooperation with the Ministry, particularly in the areas of training, awareness-raising, and monitoring occupational safety and health standards in line with international benchmarks.

//Petra// AJ

28/04/2025 14:51:17