The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam launched a campaign to prevent fire and unintentional explosions at work places in central Thua Thien - Hue Province. Each year, the ministry organizes a week for the campaign in different localities in an attempt to reduce accidents in industrial parks a
The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam launched a campaign to prevent fire and unintentional explosions at work places in central Thua Thien - Hue Province.
Each year, the ministry organizes a week for the campaign in different localities in an attempt to reduce accidents in industrial parks and improve working hygiene and safety.
This year's event has been held at Phu Bai Industrial Park.
Minister Pham Thi Hai Chuyen said 2,700 fires and explosions occurred nationwide last year, killing 100 people and injuring 200. The incidents resulted in losses of $80 million.
Chuyen said the number of incidents was 900 cases more than in 2012. In addition, the country had 6,600 labor accidents, as 627 workers died and 1,500 were injured.
Most accident-prone sectors were construction, minerals, electricity production and maintenance, and mechanical manufacturing.
The main causes of accidents were poor safety equipment for workers and a lack of safety procedures at work.
Chuyen demanded that employers at industrial parks comply with regulations on working safety and conduct frequent training to raise awareness among workers.
She urged agencies and offices to have tighter monitoring and apply stringent penalties to employers who violate safety regulations.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) also took part in the ceremony, offering messages to raise the international profile of Vietnamese goods, thanks to the safe working environment.
ILO Vietnam Office Director Gyorgy Sziraczki said high safety standards at work sites in the country would tell international consumers that goods made in Vietnam are good products to consume.