PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES: A CASE FOR DECENT WORK IN NIGERIA

The International Labour organisation (ILO), marks today, April 28 as the World Day for Safety and Health at Work with the theme ‘‘The Prevention of Occupational Diseases’’.  In its document to support this years’ observation, the organisation defines an occupational disease as ‘‘a disease contracted as a result of an exposure to risk factors arising from work’’.  To buttress, the Wikipedia free encyclopaedia describe an occupational disease as ‘‘any chronic ailment that occurs as a result of work or occupational activity……typically identified when it is shown that it is more prevalent in a given body of workers than in the general population, or in other worker populations’’.

The 2013 ILO document on this years’ day declares that ‘‘occupational diseases cause huge suffering and loss in the world of work.  Yet, occupational or work-related diseases remain largely invisible in comparison to industrial accidents, even though they kill six times as many people each year’’.  It is against this backdrop that the organisation has aptly chosen this years’ theme. 

Pneumoconioses is a deadly and globally well-known occupational diseases; this is a chronic lung disease resulting from widespread exposures to silica, coal, asbestos and various mineral dusts in mining, quarrying, construction and other manufacturing processes.  Others of concern include skin diseases (eczema, urticaria, sunburn and skin cancer); mental and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) - conditions affecting the body’s muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves.  The ILO notes that while Pneumoconioses is well known/reported and widespread, mental and MSDs are relatively new and on the rise across occupations in countries of the world.  Other emerging risks include poor ergonomic conditions (poorly designed workplaces/workstations, bereft of basic tools and comfort); exposure to electromagnetic radiation and psychosocial risks.  These conditions among others are being exacerbated by technological and social changes as well as global economic conditions.

In 2012, under the theme ‘‘Promoting Safety and Health in a Green Economy’’, the ILO made a case for closely linking safer and healthier work places and ‘‘decent’’ work for all to the worlds shift towards a greener and more sustainable economy.  In other words, green economies should produce green (decent) jobs – jobs that not only empowers financially, but assures wellbeing, preservation of life and longevity.

This years’ theme focuses on prevention, which would mean tackling the root causes of occupational diseases.  Most importantly, emphasis is again placed on the ‘’decent work’’ paradigm.  In the words of the ILO ‘’prevention is key since it not only protects the lives and livelihoods of workers and their families but also contributes to ensuring economic and social development.  Continuing, the organisation maintains that ‘’concerted efforts are needed at international and national levels to raise awareness about occupational diseases and to tackle once and for all the Decent Work deficits that are their root causes’’.

‘’Decent Work’’ is at the heart of the ‘‘prevention paradigm’’ being advocated by the ILO.  It is about good jobs which apart from offering adequate wages, job security, reasonable career prospects, and worker rights; is carried out under safe working conditions – conditions that guarantees that the worker will live long enough to savor in retirement, his/her days of active and honest labor.  The fact of the matter is that occupational diseases/illnesses develop over time and are caused either by the work itself or by the employees’ working environment.  In Nigeria today, the majority of available jobs – in both public and private sectors – are carried out under conditions that are very far from decent.  The conditions in most offices/work locations in the country are so un-dignifying, short of saying horrifying. This is true (with limited exceptions though) for the private and public sectors - educational institutions, manufacturing, construction, quarrying, the media, transportation, etc.  The armed forces and police as well as private security and paramilitary organisations/agencies are not left out.  The absence of data will not allow us to appreciate the enormity of occupational afflictions that workers in Nigeria have suffered and are still suffering. The ILO notes that ‘‘globally, more than half of all countries still do not collect adequate statistics for occupational diseases’’.  Where available, the data ‘‘concern mainly injuries and fatalities’’.

In  a study on the ‘‘Epidemiology of occupational disease among bricklayers in Nigeria’’, Soyinka, F. (1977), reported that ‘‘clinical and epidemiological investigations on 240 bricklayers in Nigeria show an incidence of 2,3% of cement-eczema, 2,0% of wear and tear dermatosis, and 2,8% of sensitivity against chrome’’.   Continuing, the report noted that ‘‘the workers with longest professional contact with cement showed the highest incidence of cement-eczema, and sensitivity against chrome’’.  In another study on the ‘‘Pulmonary functions of wheat flour mill workers and controls in Ibadan, Nigeria’’, Ijadunola and others (2005), concluded that ‘‘wheat flour-mill workers in Nigeria are at an increased risk of developing abnormalities of lung functions…..., and the dominant pattern of respiratory disease among them is airway obstruction.  Ijadunola and his team had noted in their abstract that ‘’the impact of grain dust exposure on lung functions of grain handlers in Nigeria has remained largely undocumented’’.  This lack of documentation as the ILO had noted, may not have changed much today.

As Nigeria grapples with the numerous socio-economic and political challenges confronting her as a developing economy, and with vision 20-2020 in focus, it is expedient that she does not neglect to the background the serious issue of occupational diseases and the push to address its root causes which is linked to ‘‘decent work’’. The ILO reports that ‘‘many governments and employers’ and workers’ organisations are placing now greater emphasis on the prevention of occupational diseases’’ albeit, ‘’prevention is not receiving the priority warranted by the scale and severity of the occupational disease epidemic’’.  As is the case  in several instances and sadly too, the developed economies are far ahead in this push, leaving countries like Nigeria at the stage of either having not given this the serious consideration it deserves or are yet to have an articulated policy document with clear road map for implementation.

True, job creation is top on the agenda of our government at all levels and this is good – part of the fundamental responsibilities of the state to her citizenry.  We have read about hundreds and thousands of jobs that have either been created or are being created at both federal and state levels.  The questions will be what are the nature of these jobs, under what environments are (or will) employees (be) fulfilling their job roles and responsibilities, what minimum improvements will these jobs bring to their lives.  It may not be so much about big remuneration, equitable remuneration as I will love to call it, but rather about the other elements of a ’’decent work’’ – ergonomics, safety, health and general wellbeing.  These minimum elements bring real value and dignity into any job and in a way compensates for small pay package of today.  They assure that the worker does not pass away through occupational disease/illness before he or she has the opportunity to enjoy his or her first pay cheque.

Nigeria must join the ‘prevention paradigm’’ move, at the heart of which is tackling the ‘‘Decent Work deficits’’ – the chief root causes of occupational diseases/illnesses. I strongly believe that a strong ‘‘Decent Work’’ culture will help reduce and may be eliminate corruption, engender patriotism, diligence, hard-work, commitment and patriotism as well as strengthen the value of ‘‘dignity in labour’’.

PENTECOST 2012, CHILDREN DAY AND NIGERIA'S RENEWAL

What is this all about?

Today, 27 May 2012 is Pentecost Day.  Great enough, it is also celebrated as Children’s day.  What a pleasant coincidence.  It is exactly 40 days since Easter Sunday 2012, according to the Christian Church calendar.  Pentecost was celebrated in the biblical Jewish society long before our LORD JESUS CHRIST came into the world; but the Pentecost following His resurrection was spectacular.  I dedicate this piece first and specifically to the entire Catholic Charismatic Renewal Prayer Groups in Nigeria, those all over the world and then to Christians in general – of all Church Groups.

Beloved, this is neither an expert theological discourse nor intellectual exposition.  I simply wish to share with you (as John “the beloved” put it) “that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled,      ” (1John 1:1 NKJV).  This is about the Holy Spirit of the Living God, the third person of the Blessed Trinity.  He was present and active at creation: “… And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” Genesis 1:2 (NKJV); He was the one that executed the immaculate conception: “And the Angel answered and said to her, the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you….”(Luke 1: 35NKJV); He led our Lord Jesus Christ into preparation for His glorious earthly ministry: “Then Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days”….(Luke 4:1NKJV) and was the secret behind Him all through: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with Power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).

In the old, He came upon men for Gods purpose in small occurrences.  But in the new, His coming was dramatic, exceptional, wild spread and far reaching and the impact just keeps spreading (Entire Book of Acts).  It was like a wildfire occurrence and has ever remained same to date.  You will agree with me that the story of this book is never ending, it continues beyond the 28^th Chapter.  This is the story we are sharing in this write up.

His coming in the new, on Pentecost day (which Christians widely remember/celebrate today), was followed with the release of gifts (Charisms) to believers: “   When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men   ” (Ephesians 4:7NKJV).  It follows that believers who have received these gifts and puts them to use for the purpose for which the Holy Spirit gave them are said to be Charismatics.  Popularly, they are called Pentecostals in reference to the day this occurrence was first recorded in the Holy Scriptures.  In the Catholic Church, they are called Catholic Charismatic Renewals and in different parishes, they are called unique “prayer group” names.

The Holy Spirit and His Charisms in the Early Days

In their book “the Holy Spirit, according to the Scriptures”, Michael Bassey and Donatus Udoette, two great minds and ordained Priests in the Catholic Church writes:  “Charisms    are defined as a call, an invitation, a vocation which God addresses to each and every member of the believing community in view of the particular service or services, which he wants him or her to perform in that community, coupled with the ability or capacity to exercise these gifts. 

In the words of F.A Sullivan (also an ordained Priest), in his book “Charism and Charismatic Renewal”, 1992, Page 18, Chrisms are to be understood as: “the gifts of grace which are distributed among members of the community, with a view to the role or function which each is to have   The charisms are the manifold ways in which the graciousness of God is manifested in the lives of individual Christians, especially by making them effective instruments of grace to others in the body of Christ”. And I like to add, in the world, beginning from Nigeria for Nigerians.  Understood in the sense expressed above, every Christian is a charismatic, because he or she has received some gift from the Holy Spirit at baptism and further at the unique experience of the Holy Ghost outpouring as on the day of Pentecost.  For Catholics, it is taught that the Holy Spirit fullness is received at confirmation.

The first coming of the Holy Spirit in the new covenant times was at Pentecost as captured in Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2.  It was an unmistakable occurrence.  Men and women who before then were regenerate (born again if you like), having been with the master himself received tongues of fire upon them.  The fire penetrated their being; burnt off every atom of fear and timidity (Acts 4:13ff); ignited hatred for sin and corruption all appearance of such; fanned the passion for righteousness in them and made them holy trouble makers (Acts 16: 20-21).  They began to turn the world upside down – everything that was evil turned upside down at their presence/pronouncement while those that were good or willing to become so remained standing.  They resisted unrighteous authorities (Acts 4: 14-22) who attempted to stop them from testifying to the truth that they have received, the conviction they bore in them and the experience they have had, not minding that they could lose their lives (many of them actually did) in the process.  What was happening to them was the Holy Spirit in action, the one and the same executor, who was there, right from creation (Genesis 1). He has come again, this time with a difference – He is here never to depart again.  Jesus promised that this time, He (the Holy Spirit) will remain with us till the end of time (John 14:15-18).

What more followed his coming?  Varieties of gifts (Charisms) were released to men and women in the Church for the good of all (Ephesians 4:17).  Power over the devil and all that he portends was restored (Acts 5: 12-16; Luke 10:19).  The word of God, worship and prayers became the centre of daily living in the Church (Acts 6: 1-4).  It was heaven on earth.  Being a follower of Christ became the rave of the moment – if one did not join, he did not belong.

The Renewal

What then happened to the Church in the later years – years after Pentecost?  I will not bother you with those theological histories.  But what did I witness in my time – these last 3 decades?  Apostle Paul could not have captured the situation I met any better in his epistles to Timothy: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times, some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own consciences seared with a hot iron  ” (1 Timothy 4: 1-2).  Again hear Him in 2 Timothy 3: 1-5: “But know this, that in the later days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power   ” (See also Romans 1: 26-32).

The greater tragedy I met was that even “those who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them (Romans 1: 32). 

For the church in post Pentecost days, at least the one I met in my time, the above summarizes the story.  But thank God for the years preceding 1967.  Thank God for Vatican 2.  Thank God for Pope John the 23^rd.  Thank God for those fine minds in one Ivory tower in America.  One probing heart began to wonder in private contemplation, and then went on to share his convictions (obviously from the Holy Spirit) with another hungry heart.  These together shared with yet more hungry hearts and then followed a collective decision to gather together to pray and seek the God in the Bible Book of the Acts of the Apostles – the God of Pentecost.  The result was certain; the Holy Ghost fire fell mightily again and it was 1967.  It happened again, it was a renewal.  The resulting gathering was called the Catholic Charismatic Movement.

The devil will not take it, he battled to quench this, but no, the Spirit was to be with us till the end of time.  Today this move is called the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.  No matter the name, the Holy Ghost fire started burning again and still burns.  What did this new move - this renewal – bring?  It was nothing different from what has always being from the Pentecost following Christ’s ressurrection:  Men and Women discovered great joy in serving the Living God.  They sought Him in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23-24) for “the Father is seeking such to worship Him”.  The word of God become real again in the Church and in everyday life; the Sacraments brought visible impacts in the lives of the faithful; they were no longer some myths – they were real “outward signs of inward graces”.

And the Fire Blazes on

Beloved, the fire of the Holy Ghost continues to blaze.  I was caught by this fire some years back. I felt the heat, it ran through my being and it did awesome things in me.  I have watched same happen to countless many, some by the agency of my unworthy person, powered by the Holy Ghost Himself. I also know you have your own testimony – testimony of reality, what you have tasted, handled and fellowshipped with.  His fire is on.  This is unstoppable.  This is happening right in the Holy Catholic Church – it is the renewal of the charisms; restoration of the charismatic dimension in the Church of the Living God.

The testimonies from the Papacy

This great move, this burning fire –albeit highly resisted by some – has refused to die. Infact, it cannot die because it is divine.  It has the approval of the Godhead and the Holy Papacy – the seat of the vicar of Christ on earth.

Let me share with you some revealing words on this new move – this renewal, coming from the papacy.   Addressing leaders of the Renewal on October 10, 1973 during the international leaders conference in Grottaferrata in Rome, Pope Paul VI said: “We rejoice with you, dear friends, at the renewal of the spiritual life manifested in the Church today, in different forms and in various environments.   In all that, we can recognize the mysterious and discreet work of the Spirit, who is the soul of the church”. Again on 19 May 1975 (Pentecost Solemnity) during the international Charismatic Congress, Vatican Basilica, the Holy Father said: “How then could this "spiritual renewal" not be "a chance" for the church and for the world? And how, in this case, could one not take all the means to ensure that it remains so?”

In his message to the Council of the International Office of the Charismatic Renewal on 11 December 1979, His Holiness Pope John Paul II wrote: “I am convinced that this movement is a sign of His action (of the Spirit). The world is much in need of this action of the Holy Spirit... Now I see this movement, this activity everywhere”.  To the leaders during the VI International Leaders Conference on 15 May, 1987 (20^th anniversary of the renewal), in Rome, He wrote: “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church. The vigour and fruitfulness of the Renewal certainly attest to the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit at work in the church in these years after the Second Vatican Council. Of course, the Spirit has guided the church in every age, producing a great variety of gifts among the faithful. Because of the Spirit, the church preserves a continual youthful vitality, and the Charismatic Renewal is an eloquent manifestation of this vitality today, a bold statement of what "the Spirit is saying to the churches" (Rev. 2:7) as we approach the close of the second millennium”.

Again on 30^th October 1998, writing to the Leaders at the IX International Leaders Conference in Fiuggi Rome, His Holiness had this to say: “The Catholic Charismatic Renewal has helped many Christians to rediscover the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, in the life of the Church and in the world, and this rediscovery has awakened in them a faith in Christ filled with joy, a great love of the Church and a generous dedication to her evangelizing mission. In this year of the Holy Spirit, I join you in praise of God for the precious fruits which he has wished to bring to maturity in your communities and, through them, in the particular Churches”.

And there are many more testimonies that space will not permit us to share, all streaming from the papacy and other authorities of the church.

Last Lines – For Beloved Country Nigeria

As we remember/celebrate Pentecost today, the dire challenges facing our beloved country come flooding our minds.  You know these challenges and so they are not worth recounting here.  But as those who are endued with the Holy Ghost and recognize what we are able to do and accomplish by Him, we can stand in faith and ask for / work towards renewal of the face of governance in our country.  We know that when this happens (in regard to persons and institutions); we will be on the path to true prosperity – political, economic and social prosperity.   Beloved, God is alive in our country again.  He has always been, albeit not recognized due to the dominance of unrighteousness, unbelief and iniquity.  You cannot encounter the Spirit of God and remain the same.

GREEN JOBS IN NIGERIA: IMPERATIVES FOR VISION 20-2020

 

Saturday, 28 April 2012 is the world day for “Safety and Health at Work’’.  The annual event anchored by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has this years’ theme as “Promoting Safety and Health in a Green Economy”.   This theme is coming in these times when according to the ILO, ‘’there is a shift in the world to a greener and more sustainable economy’’.  Sustainability as we know, dwells on (among other components), social development and environmental protection and in the thinking of the ILO, these should be closely linked to safer and healthier workplaces and decent work for all.

The Green Jobs initiative is a joint initiative of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).   In the UNEP Green Jobs report of September 2008, the initiative defines green jobs as ‘’decent work which contributes directly to reducing the environmental impact of enterprises, economic sectors or the economy as a whole by reducing energy and resource consumption, reducing emissions, waste and pollution and by preserving or restoring ecosystems’’.  The document further states that ‘’Green Jobs need to be decent work; i.e. good jobs which offer adequate wages, safe working conditions, job security, reasonable career prospects, and worker rights’’.

In its paper published to support this years’ observation, the ILO SafeWork office documents that the notion of ‘’Green Jobs’’ as only those jobs involved in the protection of biodiversity and the environment has been broadened to include the creation of jobs contributing to resource efficiency...... as well as occupations which play central role in ‘’greening’’ industries across the economy’’.  Continuing, the paper notes that ‘’Green Jobs include new job opportunities across a wide spectrum of occupations, from managers and scientists to technicians and farmers, and for a wide range of job seekers in rural and urban populations, including slum dwellers’’.  The paper also documents that ‘’the main areas of economic activity that have the best potential for generating new green jobs are: renewable energy, construction, transport, recycling, forestry and agriculture’’.

What has caught my attention here and which agitates me is the whole idea of ‘’Green Economy’’, ‘’Green Jobs’’ and ‘’ Decent Work’’.  In order words, the evolution of green economies (the current focus), will generate associated green jobs – jobs that protects/preserves not only the environment (which is paramount anyway), but assures good or decent life and safety for the people, the workforce.  Come to think of it, the people need to be safe (alive) and healthy (strong and virile over long years) in order to continue to man, drive and sustain the production processes that assures an even greener economy.

Nigeria’s ‘’Vision 20-2020’’, foresees a robust economy, in the league of the top 20 in the world by the year 2020.  This will suppose a green economy, in line with the focus of the world.  I believe this is achievable.  We have the strategy document, we have the people – so I believe – we only need to get working.  My concern on this day and at this time is the need to begin to give serious thought to the ‘’Green Jobs’’ paradigm as we match towards ‘’Vision 20-2020’’.  In saying this, I am thinking of all sectors of the economy and owners of enterprises – oil and gas, banks/financial institutions, manufacturing, telecommunications, waste management, construction, transportation (land, air and sea), government parastatals, etc.

From one sector to another, one office or work area/site to another, lots of Nigerians work in environments and under work conditions that can be said to be far from ‘’Decent’’, the type envisaged/articulated by the Green Works Initiative.  Aside from the oil and gas industry, where the safety and health of staff and personnel have in most cases been elevated to another level and used as one of the indices for measuring overall business performance/success, the same may not wholly be said of other sectors.  In greater instances, it is considered a great favour that you have a job in the midst of huge unemployed, poor and hungry people.  You are therefore expected to focus on working anyhow instead of complaining on issues regarding your safety and health.

One area of deep concern is the waste management sector, where both government and private organizations are involved. This sector is huge, connecting activities and end processes in almost all other sectors.  While this sector is identified as one of the fastest sources of green employment, it cannot be lost on us that the practices that are associated with this sector and most importantly the conditions under which young Nigerians do the jobs portends greater harm to the people and ultimately the economy as well as the society.  One is aware of the existence of waste management laws in Nigeria dealing with not just appropriate handling, but minimum safety and health provisions for the workforce.  Where then is the enforcement?

Waste Collection & Disposal Operation in Nigeria:

 a ‘’green’’ activity, but how green is this job for these folks.  They are exposed to diseases/infections and possible death from falling off these truck.

Many sad cases also abound in the labour intensive manufacturing industries, owned and run by certain Asians where Nigerians are subjected to very unsafe conditions in their own country.  Such companies operate in complete disregard for any know health and safety or labour laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (and these laws/regulations abound).  Lots of our young people, potential gurus of tomorrow have either been maimed or lost their lives in such blatantly unsafe work conditions and the owners/operators of such factories have gotten away with such avoidable deaths.

The construction sector, involving working at heights is one that has also maimed lots of our young people.  The oil and gas industry regards work at heights (any work from 2 meters above ground) as one major exposure/high risk jobs and takes extra precautions prior to authorizing such jobs to proceed, even though their direct staff are not involved – it is called duty of care for contractor personnel. Sadly, this is not so with the other sectors, where organizations care little about how their jobs ate accomplished.  Again, I am certain that laws and regulations exist for the building/construction industry dealing with minimum safety and health provisions for various construction works.  Again, where is the enforcement?

An Artisan In Construction Work: 
With little or no consideration for his safety & health, this fellow is in danger of sudden fall from height with potential for instant death or permanent disability

The transportation sector is arguably the worst killer.  Here, dreams/hope of tomorrow – future anchors of Vision 2020 - have been cut short, virile manpower maimed or lost and rendered liabilities to the economy and society; and these could have been avoided.  The tragedies from this sector have been due largely to the multitude of workers (drivers) with little or no instructions on the basics of this sector/their jobs; yet these ones bandy around licenses of all sorts, given by recognized authorities in the country.  These hordes constitute threats to not only their unfortunate passengers, but other decent road users.

Green Jobs, Decent Jobs/Work, assures the preservation of a virile workforce over long periods of time.  It assures that we do not lose our best brains and hands before they have come of age and maturity to be at the helm of the production processes where they will bring to bear experiences garnered over the years growing through the ranks.  It is a backbone to a greener and bigger economy by year 2020.

The theme of this year’s celebration can and should be a wake-up call for all of us; employees, employers and most importantly our government – the safety and health regulatory arms.  We owe it a duty to this country to realize ‘’Vision 20-2020’’ or at least be able to count our good progress by the end of 2020.  But first, the workforce of tomorrow must be preserved through appropriate safety and health practices. 

Have a very SAFE Day and do all in your power to remain safe and healthy each day.