The General Secretary of ITUC Africa, Joel Akhator Odigie, has called for stronger occupational health and safety systems across Africa, urging governments, employers, and trade unions to work together to create safer and more productive workplaces.
Speaking on Trade FM’s Business Briefing – Ask the Expert segment, Odigie said while many African countries have labour laws and workplace safety policies, weak implementation and inadequate labour inspections continue to expose workers to preventable accidents, occupational diseases, and unsafe working conditions.
He noted that workplace safety now extends beyond physical hazards to include mental health, workplace harassment, violence, and the growing impact of climate change. He also urged employers to view investment in occupational health and safety as a long-term business strategy rather than a financial burden, stressing that safer workplaces improve productivity and reduce long-term costs.
Odigie further advocated greater investment in technology, skills development, and education to prepare workers for the future of work, while calling for stronger collaboration among governments, employers, and trade unions to improve labour protection and workplace safety standards across Africa.
