DGUV extends cooperation with Indian Occupational health and safety authority

Director General Prof. Dr. Joachim Breuer signed a Memorandum of Understanding together with the Director General of the Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Dr. Avneesh Singh, in Berlin on 13 November 2018. The Memorandum lays the foundation for further cooperation in the field of occupational health and safety and social security for employees between DGUV and DGFASLI. It underlines furthermore DGUV's close relations with the Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Government of India.

At a meeting between DGUV Director General Prof. Breuer and the honourable Minister of Labour of India Santosh Gangwar and Secretary Heeralal Samariya in New Delhi in June, the continuation of the cooperation was agreed.

The signing took place in the presence of the Deputy Director General of the DGUV, Dr. Edlyn Höller, and the high-ranking representative of the Indian Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Devender Singh.

During the joint discussion, all participants agreed on the success of the international Vision Zero conference that took place in New Delhi in 2017 with over 1,300 participants. The next international vision zero conference will take place in Mumbai in February 2019. Vision Zero is about reaching the goal of zero serious and fatal accidents through dedicated rules. Both sides also agreed, that occupational health and safety cannot be regarded separately social protection of workers. The Indian government is currently implementing a comprehensive reform of its labour law and social protection law. DGFASLI is an authority responsible for occupational safety and health that is directly affiliated to the Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Government of India and advises the government in all issues related to occupational health and safety.