A NEW memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the forestry and employment will now ensure better compliance in forest harvesting.
According to a government statement, the MOU between the two ministries provides a framework to ensure that all workers in the forestry industry operate in an environment that prioritises their health and safety.
Signed in the presence of Permanent Secretary for Forestry Pene Baleinabuli and the Permanent Secretary for Employment Salaseini Daunabuna, the MOU will also strengthen the enforcement of related provisions under the Health and Safety Law.
Part of the MOU requires the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Employment’s National Occupational Health and Safety Services team to provide regular joint monitoring of harvesting practices.
The Employment Ministry will also, under the MOU, share data analysis with the Ministry of Forestry in terms of compliance of machines that are being used throughout the forestry industry.
This is to ensure greater safety at the workplace for workers and for machine operators in particular to follow safe work practices.
The MOU was signed at the Ministry of Forestry Head Office in Suva yesterday in the presence of the Conservator of Forests Sanjana Lal and the Director OHS Tomasi Kama.
