HCM CITY (ILO News) – More than 60 enterprises, organizations and industry associations have joined and committed to the target of 100 days without accidents as part of a campaign promoting the links between work safety and productivity in the woodwork and supporting industries in Viet Nam.

Wrapped up on 17 January 2020 in HCM City, the “100 days without accidents” campaign was organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) HCM City. Other partners of the campaign include the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (HAWA), Binh Duong Furniture Association (BIFA), Binh Dinh Forestry Product Association (FPA) and the HCM City Centre for Supporting Industries Development (CSID).

More than 1,600 people followed the campaign on social media to learn about the importance of safety at work for employers and employees and how to make workplace safer.

A total of 160 factory safety officers participated in trainings, seminars and on-site consultations to identify and prevent workplace hazards and establish effective fire safety system. Nine enterprise updated their occupational safety and health policies.

“The 100 days without accidents campaign is a meaningful programme for workers and enterprises. It helped our company to prioritize safety,” said Ho Tien Trinh, owner of Nguyen Phuc Mechanical Joint Stock Company that achieved 100 days without accidents.

Meanwhile, Thuan An Wood Processing Company managed 100 days without major accidents but witnessed some accidents that involved minor injuries of workers. The company staff is now meeting every week to review safety protocols and improve areas where incidents occurred. Rewards are also given to teams of workers who follow safety guidelines and provide ideas for improving working conditions and productivity.

The ILO Viet Nam’s SCORE programme started in 2011 and has supported 213 enterprises, representing over 94,000 workers.

“We are proud to have generated momentum for work safety in Vietnamese factories. Viet Nam is at a level of development where all accidents are avoidable. I am pleased to hear that many of the companies who participated in the campaign reached the goal,” said Stephan Ulrich, Regional Manager of ILO’s SCORE programme. “Considering labour shortages and CSR requirements from international markets, investing in occupational safety and health pays off as it improves workers’ well-being and productivity, reduces labour turnover and helps firms to stay competitive in increasingly globalized markets.”

The ILO’s SCORE Programme is funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).