The International Labour Organization (ILO) recently organized a week-long training of trainers (ToT) workshop on occupational safety and health (OSH) in Damascus. The workshop aimed to enhance the capabilities of 20 labour inspectors, including many women, to enforce OSH regulations effectively and improve working conditions. Despite being the second Arab country to ratify the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, No 155, the Syrian Arab Republic has faced challenges in implementing the convention.
The trained labour inspectors are now prepared to provide comprehensive training in different governorates in Syria. The workshop’s agenda included sessions on international labour standards, OSH fundamentals, national legislation, occupational risks, and site visits to construction sites and factories. Practical exercises and site visits provided participants with hands-on experience in identifying and mitigating workplace hazards effectively. Upon completing the training, participants received certificates that enable them to deliver high-quality training and inspection services across various governorates. This training program has equipped labour inspectors with the necessary skills to ensure safer working environments for employees in Syria.
The ILO has been working closely with the Syrian government to support its efforts in implementing OSH regulations effectively. The organization has provided technical assistance and expertise to help improve workers’ rights and conditions in Syria. The ToT workshop is just one example of how the ILO is helping Syrian labour inspectors develop their skills and knowledge to better protect workers’ health and safety rights.
The workshop also highlighted some of the challenges that Syrian employers face when it comes to OSH compliance. These include lack of awareness about OSH regulations, insufficient resources for implementing these regulations, and weak enforcement mechanisms.
However, despite these challenges, the Syrian Arab Republic remains committed to improving its OSH record by strengthening its legal frameworks, enhancing workers’ awareness about their rights and responsibilities related to health and safety at workplaces, providing adequate resources for implementing OSH regulations effectively.
In conclusion, the ILO’s ToT workshop on occupational safety and health was an essential step towards building a safer working environment for employees in Syria. Through this program, labor inspectors have acquired essential skills needed to enforce OSH regulations effectively while improving working conditions for all workers across different industries.