Reviewing Occupational Safety and Health in the Retail Sector
The first draft of the guidelines were submitted to a workshop held in Bangkok, Thailand, 8-10 December 2012 for review by affiliates from the retail sector in the Asia Pacific region.
Participants include Dr. Maria Beatriz G. Villanueva, ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network, Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal, ASETUC General Secretary, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, UA Zensen, Tesco Lotus Workers’ Union, Tiptop Workers’ Union, Ramayana Union, Lotte Workers’ Union, Hero Workers’ Union, IKEA Workers’ Union (Malaysia), Isetan Workers’ Union (Malaysia), Carrefour Workers’ Union (Malaysia), Proton Edar S/B Employees’ Union, Vietnam National Union of Trade & Industry, Metro C&C Workers’ Union (Vietnam), Big C Workers’ Union, and the Coopmart Workers’ Union.
Once finalised, the guidelines will be adopted as the UNI Apro Commerce framework for our campaign on guidelines/ regulations on occupational safety and health in the retail industry.
The final draft of this framework will also serve as a basis for discussions with the ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network as part of UNI Apro’s efforts to engage with ASEAN. The framework will be submitted for endorsement by the ASEAN tripartite partners in the retail sector.
UNI Apro is a strong advocate of practicing occupational safety and health precautions at the workplace. The guidelines may be used in the implementation of specific legislation by governments, specific regulation by retail stores, as well as further campaigns and training by trade unions. Workers and employers may also refer to these guidelines to propose legal and practical provisions for occupational safety and health in various countries and various retail establishments.
Retail development in ASEAN is expanding and now accounts for almost 20% of the region’s GDP. This growth not only contributes towards the development of a nation’s economy but also creates employment opportunities.
Yet comparative mapping of national profiles of occupational safety and health legislation has revealed current standards of occupational safety and health for the retail sector in ASEAN to be inadequate.
Occupational safety and health is an important part of the workplace environment. It is only when people feel safe and secured at work when they can put in their full capacities and increase their productivity. UNI Apro is committed to improve the working conditions and lives of workers in the services and allied sectors.