A bill for a law to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of factory workers and all persons are lawfully present at the premises for other connected purposes has scaled second reading in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The bill sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House and Member representing Ihiala Constituency Two, Doctor Paschal Agbodike seeks to protect workers at various factories and companies from being used as machines by their employees.
The bill was first read on the floor of the House in 2019
Doctor Agbodike said the bill would ensure the safety of the workers who oftentimes are being used without much regard for their welfare and health conditions within the working environment.
According to him, most companies fail to observe safety measures including providing kits for workers especially those who operate heavy-duty machines and work with chemicals.
Supporting the bill, the Minority Leader and member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Mr. Onyebuchi Offor, said the bill was apt as most companies and factories in the area do not have proper insurance coverage for their workers.
Also, the member representing Anambra East, Mr. Obinna Emeneka while describing health as a fundamental right of every worker, said the bill when passed will re-awaken the consciousness of factory owners to embrace Standard Operating Procedures which guarantee safety at workplaces.
After the resolution that the bill be passed for second reading, the speaker Mr. Uche Okafor referred it to the Committee on Health before the house adjourned plenary till Thursday 20th of April.
(Anambra Current News)
