The leadership of the Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) has stated that the Covid-19 pandemic has challenged employers and companies on the need for preparation for a crisis.

Speaking to YONECO FM online on the sidelines of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work which falls on 28 April annually, MCTU President Luther Mambala said the pandemic also led to job losses, a development he described as unfortunate.

“Because of the pandemic we noted that some companies have been downsizing their workforce and salaries for their workers,” he said.

Mambala nonetheless applauded some employers for ensuring that their workers were protected during the pandemic by providing them with Personal Protective Equipment and letting them work on shifts.

In a video message to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the Director-General for the International Labour Organization (ILO) Guy Ryder indicated that, “There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment. Recovery and prevention will require better national policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks, properly integrated into crisis response frameworks”.

The day is being commemorated under the theme, “Anticipate, prepare and respond to crises”.