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By Madu Obi
The Anambra State House of Assembly is set to pass a bill for a law that would ensure the safety, health and welfare of factory workers and all persons lawfully present at work places.
The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Ihiala 11 constituency, Hon Golden Iloh, has passed the second reading.
Leading the debate on the bill, Iloh said the law would seek to provide provide workers with safety kits.
He lamented that many factories in Anambra State do not protect their workers, arguing that the consequence was the inhaling of chemicals, thereby jeopardizing their health.
Iloh said: "These chemicals inhaled by these factory workers are dangerous to health. Most of them operate machines with bare hands and without protective gloves."
"As lawmakers, we owe our people a duty of speaking for them because many of them cannot approach their bosses to demand for this kit for fear of losing their job."
He said that If passed into law, it will help to protect the lives of workers.
Other speakers, including Mr. Nobel Igwe (Ogbaru 1), Mr. Nigeria Mbachu (Awka South 1), Mr. Obi Nweke (Anambra East), Mr. Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North 2), Mr. Emma Nwafor (Orumba South), Mr. Anayo Okpalaeke (Aguata 1) Majority leader, Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme (Ekwusigo), Mr. Tony Mobuike (Aguata 2), Mr. Chidiebere Ibemeka (Njikoka 1) and Mr. Fred Ezenwe (Onitsha South 1) supported the bill.
It should be a culture to be kitted with every safety gadget while working in a factory. All safety precautions and provisions should be provided.
"Safety devices such as hand gloves, boots, helmet, nose masks amongst others are vital for factory workers. This is important because the hazards they face has effect on their life span if not handled very well."
"If a factory worker is not provided with the necessary kit to do their work, there is every tendency of accident. Some get their fingers cut during production and no compensation.
Fire extinguisher is important also because of fire outbreak. We need to think about the safety of our people. There should be an insurance to back them up.
"Some people are working in a high temperature environment and their cells have been condemned and their life expectancy is in jeopardy."
"Some are being discharged and replaced immediately after any incident. The welfare of factory workers is important and will be addressed by this law."
"This bill bothers on the safety, health and welfare of not just factory workers but also aim to protect both the employer and employee."
"It is also aimed at domesticating the employment law because when you move round Anambra and beyond, you will discover that there is a lot of issues in our factories."
Before a contract is issued to an employee, the employer has to make sure that all safety measures are in place. It will encourage workers in discharging their duties.
"There is need for safety training and the emergency action plan such as first aid, but unfortunately, the jobs of factory workers are not guaranteed," the lawmakers maintained," they stated.
The speaker Mr. Somtochukwu Udeze subsequently referred the bill to the joint committee on Health and Committee on Commerce, Trade and Industry.
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