Mr. Kharge presenting the National Safety Award

The Government of India celebrated the year 2008-09 as the Year of Industrial Safety and Health. The year-long celebrations culminated into the declaration of the National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace on 20th Feb., 2009. The policy recognizes safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental human right. It aims at enhancing the well-being of employees and society at large, by eliminating the incidence of work-related injuries, diseases and loss of national assets. One of the several actions specified for improving safety and health is the system of incentives to employers and employees for achieving higher standards of safety and health. The National Safety Council of India NSCI Safety Awards scheme is furthering this very objective of the National Policy.

Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge Minister for Labour & Employment on Saturday presented the national level NSCI Safety Awards for 2009 in Mumbai. These Awards are for companies from three sectors – factories; construction; and micro, small and medium enterprises.