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{
    "id": 1194496,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1194496/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 50,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kimilili, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Didmus Barasa",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you for giving me this opportunity. Even as I support this Sessional Paper, I know for a fact that this is not the first time we are having such a thing before this House. The Factories and Others Places of Work Act of 1997 was repealed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 2007 that specifies and makes it mandatory that all employers and institutions, whether Government or private, must employ a safety and environmental officer who will assist them mitigate risks that employees may face. Subsequently, this Act birthed an institution called the Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety that is supposed to annually audit all institutions—whether Government or private—to approve their preparedness, willingness and response to the very many risks the employees face. As a House, what we should be asking ourselves is whether the Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety is doing its work in line with legal provisions. We even have the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) that is supposed to audit institutions. Those that are not able to deal with mitigations against the environment are dealt with by NEMA. Another question we should ask ourselves is whether NEMA is doing enough to ensure our environment is protected. Even the Employment Act puts the responsibility of ensuring the very basic rights of employees by the employer are taken care of. This is not limited to child labour. I know that even as we approve this Sessional Paper, you already have enough laws in the country. They take care of these particular risks and interests of employees in terms of working in a very safe environment. We are aware that thousands, if not millions, of people in this country have contracted various occupational diseases and ailments because of the working conditions. The reason this House and the Constitution allowed the passage of the law that takes care of injuries that an individual might get sustained from work related issues was to put responsibility on institutions The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}