SESRIC has successfully initiated, in cooperation with the Turkish Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (ISGUM), the first Pilot Project of the OIC-VET Pilot Application Phase in the field of occupational health and safety. The Pilot Project titled “Study Visit on Occupational Health and Safety” took place at the premises of ISGUM during the period 24-28 May 2010, in Ankara, Turkey, with the participation of experts and directors of occupational health and safety from 7 OIC Member Countries, namely Azerbaijan, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Syria. Additionally, the Arab Labour Organization was also represented at this Pilot Project.

At the opening session, H.E. Sıddık Topaloğlu, Deputy Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security, welcomed the gathering and expressed the Ministry’s compliments regarding initiating the OIC-VET Pilot Project in this important field. H.E. Topaloğlu stressed the importance of the continuity of this project and the continuous interaction among the participants.

In her speech at the opening session, Dr. Sıdıka Başçı, Acting Director General of SESRIC, welcomed the participants of this significant project and expressed SESRIC’s thankfulness to ISGUM for the logistic support provided to the participants in facilitating this important event. Dr. Başçı stressed the importance of the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations constitutes the core of every actions and efforts in occupational health and safety. Dr. Başçı also mentioned that this important programme would generate benefits for the professionals of occupational health and safety to improve their knowledge and skills through close partnerships and networking among similar institutions operating in our member countries.

Dr. Başçı noted that this important Pilot Project is expected to solidify the existing relationships between occupational health and safety centres in OIC Member Countries in order to help them produce a better outcome in providing enhanced services to the individuals in their countries. Therefore, Dr. Başçı added, it is indeed heartening that representatives of occupational health and safety centres are participating in this project to share their knowledge and exchange experience regarding the safety and healthiness of working places in the OIC Member Countries.

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