The effectiveness of the Occupational Health and Safety principle in relation to women workers at the Lesotho Precious Garment factory.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the occupational health and safety principles at the Lesotho Precious Garments factory. The study investigated the perceptions and the experiences of Basotho women working at the Lesotho Precious Garments factory. The study employed an evaluative, qualitative research design. Major findings were gathered through the use of semi-structured, open-ended interviews with women working at the Lesotho Precious Garments factory, and the officials from the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Department of Health and Environment. Findings from this study revealed that some of the common hazards that workers are exposed to include: physical, ergonomic, psycho-social and mechanical hazards. Furthermore, the findings revealed that there is no national policy regarding occupational health and safety in the textile industries of Lesotho. It became evident from the narratives of the participants that the absence of a national health and safety policy in Lesotho has trivialised safety issues within the industry. Consequently this has increased the rate of occupational hazards in textile industries. The study therefore recommends that there is a need for a comprehensive national policy to oversee the activities of factory owners in complying with international labour standards.