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Biobío Tripartite Forestry Table Begins Work to Improve Safety and Health in the Sector

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• In a joint effort for workplace safety, the group meets to establish improvements in working conditions for the forestry sector.

The Biobío Region takes a step forward in protecting its forestry workers with the creation of the Tripartite Forestry Working Table. This body, born from the need to comply with ILO Convention No. 187 on Occupational Safety and Health, aims to foster constructive dialogue between the State, employers, and workers.

The initiative, responding to a request from the Association of Forestry Contractors (ACOFORAG A.G.), ultimately seeks to enhance safety and health conditions in one of the region's most critical sectors.

The Regional Ministerial Secretariat of Labor and Social Security of the Biobío Region has convened various stakeholders, including ministerial advisors and representatives of workers and employers, to participate in workshops and working sessions. These meetings aim to form sectoral working groups, inform about the objectives and commitments of the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy (PNSST), and develop proposals to strengthen safety in the forestry sector.

The Regional Ministerial Secretary, Sandra Quintana, emphasized the importance of tripartite dialogue and the commitment of all sectors to work together throughout 2024. Paola Zúñiga, president of the CUT in Concepción Province, thanked the opportunity for participation, which allows for the creation of new methodologies to improve workplace safety.

Meanwhile, Margarita Celis, regional general manager of Corma Biobío in Ñuble, and Carlos Molina, president of Acoforag, highlighted the urgency of addressing gaps in safety and health and the importance of working together to find effective solutions.

"In this second phase of the table, we are working on proposals to complement the Occupational Safety and Health Policy by the end of the year, thereby strengthening our sector," noted Carlos Molina.

Proposed measures not included in the PNSST will be systematized and managed by the representative of the Ministry of the Interior, ensuring effective follow-up on the initiatives. This collaborative effort reflects not only the Government's commitment but also that of all stakeholders in pursuing a safer and healthier work environment for forestry workers.