According to statistics, in the first half of the year, there were 2,996 cases of labour accidents in which 3,057 died showing year-on-year increases of 42.4 percent and 38.7 percent, respectively.

Quang Ninh topped cities and provinces in terms of labour accident death toll, followed by Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang City and southern Binh Duong province. Labour accidents caused losses of over VND10 billion and more than 13,000 working days.

The MoLISA’s Department of Labour Safety said labour accidents were mainly caused by violations of labour safety regulations, safety standards and procedures and low awareness of occupational health and safety (OHS) particularly among labourers working in small-and medium-sized enterprises, and at power, mining exploitation and construction sites.

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Minister of the MoLISA and head of the Steering Committee for the national programme on occupational protection, health and safety, estimated that there will be 12,000-13,000 labourers in the industrial sector suffering from accidents and the death toll will reach over 1,200, causing loses of at lease VND1 trillion for the national economy by 2010.

The national programme on occupational protection, health and safety is aimed at reducing the latour accident death toll and the number of occupational diseases as well as providing treatment to 100 percent of victims of both labour accidents and occupational diseases. Eighty percent of labourers working in highly-required OHS conditions will receive training and 100 percent of fatal and serious labour accidents will be investigated.

Total investment in the national programme is put at VND467 billion, including VND100 billion granted by international organizations.

A similar meeting will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 26-27 for representatives of southern provinces and cities.