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The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations will effective July 1, 2020 embark on a nationwide random inspection of compliance to the COVID-19 safety protocols and measures at offices, shops and factories.

The step is to ensure strict compliance with and enforcement of all COVID-19 protocols and guidelines outlined by Government, the World Health Organization and the Ghana Health Service.

This was contained in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry.

The decision followed the observation of the Ministry with grave concern the spread of COVID-19 at workplaces despite measures taken by Government to curtail the spread of the virus.

Although the Ministry and its social partners (Employers and Organized labour) earlier on issued a 10-point Communique urging employers and workers in general to continue to observe the necessary protocols and guidelines to keep workers safe, the inspection exercise is to enforce strict compliance.

As part of the inspection, the Ministry, according to the statement, called for strict adherence to measures such as producing a statement of Management’s commitment and responsibilities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 at a particular workplace and preparation of a response plan indicating preparedness for COVID-19 prevention.

Others are 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.

The Ministry also entreated all to have a workplace system to provide reliable information on emerging situations of COVID-19, a Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism for COVID-19 prevention, a risk assessment of potential interaction between workers and non-workers at the workplace, and training of Management and workers on the correct use, maintenance and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

There should also be an evidence of communication between management, workers and workers’ representatives or over the phone, and evidence of physical distancing during meetings.

All workplaces are also required to have an isolation room for persons who develop COVID-19 symptoms at the workplace, while awaiting transfer to an appropriate health facility and arrangements should be made for disinfection of the workplace.

“The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations wishes to entreat both employers and workers to make changes in their workplaces to curtail the spread of the COVID 19,” the statement advised.