COVID-19: Labour Ministry begins nationwide office inspection

The Ministry of Employment and Labour (MELR) will begin a national office and institutional inspection over COVID-19 protocol compliance.

Officials at the ministry will embark on random inspections of offices, shops and factories from Wednesday, July 1.

“This is to ensure strict compliance with and enforcement of all COVID-19 protocols and guidelines outlined by the government, the World Health Organization and the Ghana Health Service (GHS),” a statement from the ministry says.

The ministry says it is embarking on the move because it noticed with grave concern the spread of COVID-19 infections at workplaces despite measures taken by the government to curtail the spread of the virus.

The MELR and its social partners, which include employers and organised labour, have subsequently issued a 10- point communique, urging employers and workers, in general, to continue to observe the necessary protocols and guidelines in order to keep workers safe.
Ghana’s caseload as at Monday, July 29, was 17, 351 with 609 new infections.

The active cases are 4, 245 with 12, 994 recoveries and 112 deaths.

As part of the inspections, the MELR envisages strict adherence to the following:
1. A Statement of Management’s commitment and responsibilities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 at a particular workplace
2. A response plan indicating preparedness for COVID-19 prevention at the workplace.
3. Regular consultation of occupational health services, local public health authorities and other partners to promote and develop information materials and other technical advice to prevent risk of exposure.
4. A workplace system to provide reliable information on emerging situations of COVID-19. 5. A Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism for COVID-19 prevention.
6. A risk assessment of potential interaction between workers and non-workers at the workplace.
7. Training of Management and workers on the correct use, maintenance and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)
8. Evidence of communication between management, workers and workers’ representatives or over the phone.
9. Evidence of physical distancing during meetings.
10 Existence of an isolation room for persons who develop COVID-19 symptoms at the workplace, while awaiting transfer to an appropriate health facility. Arrangements for disinfection of the workplace.
The MELR wishes to entreat both employers and workers to make changes in their workplaces to curtail the spread of the COVID 19.