Many fatal work accidents are not recorded by the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Nghe An.

On the afternoon of November 20, the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Affairs Committee organized an inspection of the report on compliance with the law on occupational safety and hygiene in 2019 to submit to the 12th session of the Provincial People's Council (17th term), scheduled to take place in mid-December. Comrade Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, Head of the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Affairs Committee chaired the inspection. Photo: Mai Hoa

Party committees and authorities stay out of occupational safety and health work.
Reviewing the report on compliance with the law on labor safety and hygiene in 2019 prepared by the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, many concerns were raised by members of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council.

According to Deputy Head of the Department of Culture and Society Nguyen Thi Lan, the whole province has nearly 2,100 enterprises operating in industries and professions with high risks of work-related accidents and occupational diseases.

According to regulations, these enterprises must conduct periodic health check-ups for employees every 6 months; however, according to the report of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, in the first 10 months of the year, there were only 55 units organizing periodic health check-ups for employees with a total of 24,647 people.

Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation Nguyen Tu Phuong said that district-level Party committees and authorities are staying out of the work of occupational safety and health. Photo: Mai Hoa

The Suoi Bac tin mine collapse (Chau Hong commune, Quy Hop) that killed 3 people occurred on March 13, 2019. Photo courtesy of Huy Nham

It is worth noting that previously, in some enterprises, through the supervision of the Provincial People's Council, warnings and recommendations were given to overcome occupational safety and health risks, but occupational accidents still occurred. The problem is that the inspection, supervision, and monitoring work, especially the supervision, inspection, and post-inspection handling are not effective.

Also concerned about occupational safety and health, Chairman of the Provincial Labor Federation Nguyen Tu Phuong said that the whole province currently has more than 21,000 enterprises, of which about 10,000 are operating, but in total, all industries in the year only about 100 enterprises were inspected and audited, and even fewer were inspected and audited regarding occupational safety and health.

On the other hand, many local authorities and Party committees are staying out of the work of occupational safety and health. The proof is that many localities have not issued any directive documents and have not conducted any inspections or audits all year.

Head of the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Affairs Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Huong suggested that there should be specific solutions to ensure occupational safety and health. Photo: Mai Hoa

Concluding on this content, Head of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council Nguyen Thi Thu Huong requested the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to absorb the opinions of the members of the Committee to adjust and supplement fully, reflecting the true nature.

At the same time, the Department needs to pay attention to adding assessments of the dissemination and propaganda of laws on occupational safety and health for workers; the establishment of trade union organizations in enterprises, ensuring the rights of workers, including ensuring occupational safety and health; the role and responsibility of local Party committees and authorities in this work... On that basis, propose specific solutions for the coming time to strengthen and make this work more effective in the coming time.

Awakening internal strength for sustainable poverty reduction

Reviewing the report on the implementation of the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction in the province in 2019, after listening to the opinions of members of the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Committee, Head of the Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Huong pointed out a series of shortcomings and limitations in poverty reduction work.

That is the perception of some Party committees, authorities and people who still have the mindset of waiting and relying on State policies, not really being proactive, creative, and making efforts to invest to escape poverty.

Some projects and works for hunger eradication and poverty reduction are ineffective, causing waste of State investment resources. Leadership and direction in the allocation of funds for poverty reduction are still slow.

Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Hong Vu receives comments from participants in the review. Photo: Mai Hoa

The investigation of poor households is not objective, and the poor have not been classified for appropriate impact; poverty reduction is not sustainable, the risk of falling back into poverty is high; and the integration of poverty reduction resources is not effective.

Based on the existing problems, the Head of the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Committee proposed that Party committees and authorities at all levels join hands to focus on finding sustainable poverty reduction solutions, focusing on propaganda and raising awareness for Party committees, authorities and people to mobilize internal resources to escape poverty.

The Fatherland Front and mass organizations need to launch emulation movements and replicate effective economic models, contributing to sustainable poverty reduction.

Also on the afternoon of November 20, the Provincial People's Council's Culture and Social Affairs Committee reviewed the report on the results of child protection and care work in the province in 2019.