Moroke Sekoboto 

THE United States Department of Labour has donated?USD$3 million (M50 million) for?a programme aimed at?improving Lesotho’s labour standards and eradicating gender-based violence and harassment at the workplace. 

According to the Maseru US Embassy’s?political and economic chief, Jullion Cooper, the initiative aims to improve labour standards and eradicate gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace. 

It will run for four years with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) implementing the programme nationwide. 

The programme was launched on Thursday at Avani Lesotho.?? 

The event was graced by?Minister of Labour and Employment, Tšeliso Mokhosi, United Nations representative, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, as well as representatives from ILO, local labour unions and employers.??? 

Mr Cooper said the initiative would ensure?accessible, productive, and sustainable work in?conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity. 

He said the programme would focus on occupational health and safety as well as advance social and economic justice by setting improved labour standards while also enhancing the fight against gender-based violence in the workplace. 

“I congratulate the government for the passage of legislation, Occupational Health and Safety Bill. This achievement signifies policy steps to safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of the workers across the country,” Mr Cooper said. 

For his part, Mr Mokhosi said the project came at the right time 

as?there were reports of sexual harassment particularly in the textiles sector which needed to be dealt with. ? 

“Cases of?sexual harassment and violence at the workplace have very negative effects…..The international brands which source from textile factories would not want to be associated with unacceptable practices. If such allegations are not addressed, the brands pull out, resulting in more job losses. 

He added that the government remained committed to adhering to all ILO standards to create a safe environment for worker. 

“I believe the project that we are launching is one of the tools that will enable us to act positively towards adherence to the?Occupational?Health and Safety law……This project is a vehicle through which the government will deliver Compact II of the Millenium Challenge Account and various projects under the health component of the compact,”?Mr Mokhosi?added.