Safety and Health at Work: best practices and policies in the region. The case of Bosnia and Herzegovina

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1 Safety and Health at Work: best practices and policies in the region The case of Bosnia and Herzegovina

2 Country political context Two separate entities (FBiH and RS) with own constitutions, legislative frameworks and institutions Marginal similarities in regulation of the public and private sector despite the common roots (Former Yugoslavia) FBiH: high level of decentralization, cantonal structure and cantonal-level responsibilities FBiH: war legacy large number of people of working age who already have some level of body damage and need special working conditions RS: highly centralized decision making on safety at work 2

3 Country economic context Economic decline, rising poverty Private sector is not very dynamic Private sector is very diverse lots of SMEs and service providers wit limited capacity for meaningful health and safety at work policies and interventions Oversized civil service sector Still quite big segment of the companies are state owned or partially state owned, privatization has not been completed

4 Country institutional and legal context Who is responsible for health and safety at work (national focal points)? FBiH: MLSP and Federal Administration for Inspection RS: MLVA and RS Inspection Administration Participate in a regional network of labor inspection institutions Legal framework in place Collective agreements

5 Current status Certain sectors are identified as bearing higher risks Work in mines and quarries Building materials production Construction and related sectors With the support of the international development community: USAID ELMO Project, component 4 (Strengthening Social Dialogue and Labor Inspection) ILO

6 Most recent developments (1) In February 2010, BiH ratified the ILO Convention 176 Safety and Health in Mines Convention Entity governments will thoroughly and regularly inspect and investigate mining activity Entity governments will assure that safe and reliable emergency procedures are put in place It also allows that workers can freely and without prejudice notify authorities and management of unsafe conditions, and they have the right to leave a mining operation in the event of serious risk

7 Most recent developments (2) Mining employers operating in a country that has ratified No. 176 must seek to eliminate all mining deaths and accidents by controlling and reducing inherent mining risks Employers must provide the necessary equipment and communication systems to guarantee full security, and they must strive to preserve the land and the environment As well, employers must assure the well-being of the communities and the people near their mining holdings

8 Most recent developments (3) Host of an International Conference May 17-18, 2010, Banja Luka Will discuss the forthcoming reform agenda Learning from good practices

9 Reform agenda Entity Law Enforcement Harmonization with the EU: adoption of EU risk management / risk assessment instruments Workplace IMS (new templates developed) Risk analysis and accident prevention How to expand regulations to the SME sector

10 One company example (1) Enforcement of entity (FBiH) legislation at company level: action plan with roadmap Additional company-level measures Internal rules for assessing the risk of each workplace which are more rigorous Preventive measures Food supplements Clothes and accessories Regular medical checks Occupational medicine specialist in the company

11 One company example (2) Ergonomic measures Light Temperature Ventilation Furniture, etc. Company-level benefits Pregnancy and maternity Child benefits Company social responsibility

12 THANK YOU VERY MUCH