Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe has called for the evolution of the traditional health, safety and the environment framework to become a more holistic framework which would include wellness. He called on the private sector, civil society and every individual to champion health, wellness, safety and the environment (HSWE) as a shared responsibility.

Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce’s TT (Amcham TT) 15th Annual National Excellence in HSE Awards ceremony on November 10 at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, Bodoe said the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that poor occupational safety and health practices cost the global economy approximately four per cent of its gross domestic product each year.

“Moreover, the ILO’s latest report (2023) reveals that nearly three million workers lose their lives each year due to work-related accidents and diseases. These staggering figures reflect the human and economic toll of preventable illness, injury and death. In TT, we must view this as a challenge that we are called to meet with urgency and resolve.”