Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith has described the current workplace safety situation as “troubling” and “unacceptable” after figures revealed 13 fatalities and 64 non-fatal incidents between January and April 2026.
Speaking at the Occupational Safety and Health Symposium 2026 on Tuesday, Griffith called for urgent strengthening of safety systems across all sectors and stricter compliance with health and safety protocols.
“This increase is unacceptable and underscores the urgent need for stricter compliance and health and safety process,” the Minister stated, emphasizing that a fundamental shift in approach to workplace safety is required.
Despite the alarming figures for the year-to-date period, Griffith noted encouraging broader trends. Between 2020 and 2025, the Ministry recorded a 12.78 per cent decrease in work-related fatalities and a 50 per cent reduction in non-fatal incidents.
During this same five-year period, the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning conducted 6,186 occupational health and safety inspections across both high-risk and low-risk sectors.
Griffith stressed that effective workplace safety cannot rely on policy alone but must be supported by innovation and practical solutions. He highlighted the importance of enabling workplaces to identify risks, manage hazards effectively, and create environments where workers feel safe and supported.
The Minister also drew attention to psychosocial workplace risks, including stress, excessive workloads, poor supervision, harassment, and job insecurity—factors that extend beyond traditional occupational hazards.
“These are real risks, and they demand real action,” Griffith emphasized.
The Ministry has intensified its efforts to address workplace safety through increased enforcement activities across all sectors, strengthened occupational safety and health systems, and expanded inspections including sector-specific training, offshore inspections, and outreach activities.
The theme for Occupational Safety and Health Month 2026 is “Good psychosocial working environments: a pathway to thriving workers and strong organisations,” reflecting the broader focus on worker wellbeing and organizational strength.
