The Minister for Social Affairs and Employment Dolor Ernesta has personally commended the private sector for what it has described as their "enthusiastic participation" in this year's Safety Week.

This year some 300 organisations participated in or sponsored the safe and healthy workplace competition which formed part of activities to mark the September 29 - October 3 Safety Week, the official launching of which was held on Praslin.

Speaking about the strong links between his ministry and the private sector, Minister Ernesta said despite the difference of views and interests, there were many areas where government, private sector and non-governmental organisations could work together to achieve common objectives.

"As this year’s Safety Week has proved, there is a need for such future partnerships and collaboration because today’s society and workplace is not governed by just one institution but by an amalgamation of actors. And that is why all stakeholders, be they government, private sector or NGO must participate because at the end of the day, despite our different views or interests, we are part of the same society and country," Minister Ernesta said.

Commenting on why there was such strong support from the private sector this year, an official from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment revealed that there had always been interest from the private sector in previous organisations of safety week.

However, he agreed with Minister Ernesta that the increased support this year through sponsorships and participation in the various safety competitions may be due to employers becoming more aware of the importance of a safe working environment for their workers, since this has a lot to do with issues of productivity.

The official pointed out that the new climate of social and economic development in the country necessitates that employers add value to their business not only by finding new ways to make money but by also investing in their employees and workplace.

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