Gov't senator pushes for workplace wellness policy
Published:Saturday | November 9, 2024 | 12:10 AMEdmond Campbell/Senior Parliamentary Reporter
Government senator and trade unionist Kavan Gayle has called for a national workplace wellness policy to promote and enable healthier lifestyles that would have the effect of shoring up productivity at the workplace.
At the same time, the government senator has placed the spotlight on the long-awaited Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA), which is expected to return to Parliament for debate and approval.
Opening the State of the Nation Debate in the Upper House on Friday, Gayle said both the reintroduction of the bill and the establishment of a national workplace policy are vital steps toward moving Jamaica forward to ensure a safe, healthy and productive workplace.
Acknowledging that the Ministry of Health and Wellness had previously established a Corporate Wellness Manual, Gayle said that this guideline, through the Jamaica Moves programme, has incorporated measures that are enabling a healthier lifestyle for Jamaica’s labour force.
“Enhancing the guideline and moving towards a policy direction is critical at this time. This policy is not only a complementary measure to the Occupational Safety and Health legislation but a necessary initiative to address the holistic well-being of the workforce,” he said.
Gayle reasoned that workplace wellness encompasses more than physical safety but also includes mental health, chronic disease prevention, stress management, and the overall health of employees.
He said a national workplace wellness policy would formalise the guidelines for organisations to implement wellness programmes that encourage healthier lifestyles, reduce illness-related absenteeism, and improve overall workplace morale.
“This policy is particularly significant for Jamaica, given the high incidence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which are often linked to workplace stress, inactivity, and poor health practices,” he observed.
According to Gayle, by establishing wellness programmes, the country can reduce healthcare costs, improve worker productivity, and foster a healthier, more resilient workforce.
NEW DRAFT OF OSHA
Turning to the OSHA, Gayle indicated that he has been informed that the government has plans to take a revised piece of legislation to Parliament for consideration.
“The significance of this legislation cannot be overstated. It represents a modern, inclusive approach to occupational safety and health, ensuring that employers and employees work together to create safer, more productive workplaces,” he said.
The experienced trade unionist argued that the OSHA is more than just a legal requirement, noting that it is a framework for improving the quality of life for Jamaican workers and increasing national productivity.
He said it also ensures that every worker has the right to return home safely to their families at the end of each workday.
In 2017, a bill was tabled in Parliament aimed at promoting and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment in Jamaica.
Following extensive deliberations by a joint select committee of Parliament, which received a plethora of recommendations, substantive changes were made to the bill.
In response to these critical inputs, Gayle said the government has now prepared a new draft of the OSHA.