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Finding the way forward for Duty of Care in Asia

The International SOS Foundation, in conjunction with the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), is holding a forum in Singapore to explore the way forward for Duty of Care in Asia.

The event aims to address issues brought forth earlier this year at the Foundation’s inaugural forum in Cancun, Mexico. During this forum, there was a consensus that the Duty of Care for employees working away from home is a crucial occupational health issue. A call was raised for leaders and industry experts to develop an international guidance based on national legislation and practices across the globe.

The forum in Singapore will seek to address how the occupational health and safety community can develop and promote an international guidance on Duty of Care, as well as demonstrate its 'return on prevention’*. These efforts’ primary aim is to protect the health and safety of employees which in turn leads to improved business performance and growth.

The forum will focus on three key areas:

A call for an international guidance

Dr. Jukka  Takala, Executive Director, Workplace Safety and Health Institute, Singapore said, “With increasing  globalisation, more and more individuals are working further afield and are exposed to risks that can impact their health, security and safety. It is therefore crucial that we provide an international guidance to help companies better understand the risks, encourage prevention and improve people’s wellbeing, ultimately to protect and save lives.”
 
Return on Prevention

Marc De Greef, Executive Director, Prevent, Belgium said, “Organisations are increasingly expanding operations and staff numbers in Asia. Companies can no longer afford to run the moral and financial risk of neglecting their Duty of Care obligations.  Establishing a strong Duty of Care programme is not just ‘the right thing to do;’  health and wellness programmes in the workplace increase a firm’s ability to attract and retain employees, resulting in lower turnover of headcount and improved productivity, all of which add to stronger business performance.”

Creating a global repository of information on Duty of Care

Dr. Olivier Lo, Group Medical Director, Occupational Health Services, International SOS, Singapore said, “It is crucial to inform and educate governments, employers, workers and contractors on the importance of Duty of Care and on the ways that the risks associated with international travel and/or assignment can be mitigated. With the insights gained from events like this one, we can work towards assimilating information, applicable on an international scale, to guide for companies in fulfilling their  Duty of Care obligations..“

The importance of a new way forward for Duty of Care in Asia is indicated in a recent International SOS survey, which found that Asia ranks behind most of the world when it comes to Duty of Care, excluding the Middle East and North Africa.
Singapore scored significantly higher than all other Asian countries surveyed around Duty of Care, and above the worldwide baseline. The results of International SOS’s Asia benchmarking survey highlight inter-regional health and safety differences and the need for education and reform. Having scored highly within the survey, Singapore is paving the way for Asia to follow, and this event is a great step towards delivering this.

*Return on Prevention: Aims to demonstrate the return on investment on preventative measures in the area of Duty of Care.

Duty of Care: The Way Forward

Held in concert with the Workplace Safety and Health Council, panellists, leaders and industry experts will speak at the forum on Tuesday, September 11 at 3.00 PM at Pan Pacific Singapore. Speakers will include:

Welcome
• Dr. Jukka  Takala, Executive Director, Workplace Safety and Health Institute, Singapore
• Dr. Pascal Rey-Herme, Group Medical Director, International SOS, Singapore

Panellists
• Dr. Jukka  Takala, Executive Director, Workplace Safety and Health Institute, Singapore
• Michele Patterson, President,  International Association of Labour Inspectors, Australia
• Marc De Greef, Director General, Prevent, Belgium
• DongChan Kim, Senior Manager, International Cooperation, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA), Republic of Korea
• Dr. Olivier Lo, Group Medical Director, Occupational Health Services, International SOS, Singapore
• Dr. Philippe Guibert, Regional Medical Director, Consulting Services, International SOS, Singapore

Moderator
• Dr. David Gold, Senior Consultant, International SOS Foundation and Founder & Managing Director, Gold-Knecht Associates, Switzerland

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About the International SOS Foundation

Established in 2011, the International SOS Foundation―Ambassadors for Duty of Care― www.internationalsosfoundation.org has the goal of improving the safety, security, health and welfare of people working abroad or on remote assignments through the study, understanding and mitigation of potential risks. The escalation of globalisation has enabled more individuals to work across borders and in unfamiliar environments; exposure to risks which can impact personal health, security and safety increases along with travel. The foundation is a registered charity and was started with a grant from International SOS. It is a fully independent, non-profit organisation. The Foundation is currently in the process of setting up an experienced, independent governing Board of Trustees to steer its vision, objectives and future results.
For more information, contact:

Sara Benwell – sara.benwell@sermelo.com – tel +44 (0) 207 557