Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Labor and Social Development is continuing to improve the level of occupational safety for workers in private sector companies, Saudi Press Agency quoted Minister of Labor and Social Development Ali Al-Ghafees as saying in a speech during the inauguration of the National Forum for Occupational Safety and Health here on Saturday.

The two-day forum, which is being organized by the ministry, coincides with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work (SafeDay).

Al-Ghafees said occupational safety has been improved because of new regulations, intense monitoring and supervision, high level of awareness and increased national manpower and resources.

The forum is one of the most important outcomes of the National Strategic Program for Health and Occupational Safety, which is one of the ministry’s initiatives in the National Transformation Program 2020 and its contribution to achieving Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Al-Ghafees thanked the King and the Crown Prince for their unlimited support in developing the labor market to make it attractive and competitive.

Through the forum the ministry is striving to make the work environment more attractive for Saudi manpower and create a competitive and effective labor market.

The ministry knows the challenges it is facing in order to improve health and occupational safety, Al-Ghafees said, adding that the ministry understands the measures it is going to take to meet these challenges and improve the current situation as regards occupational safety.

He said occupational safety and health is a joint responsibility which involves government authorities, employers and workers on an equal footing.