Ha Noi Peoples Committee hopes to reduce the high rate of work accidents, including fatalities, by at least 5 per cent next year.

Last year, 19 people were reported killed in work accidents and another 134 people injured.

The numbers fell slightly in the first half of this year compared to last year, but the figures are still high.

The committee plans to cut work accidents through its annual safety inspections of 100 to 150 enterprises.

Workplaces being targeted include those with large numbers of employees, such as construction sites, factories producing construction materials and the power network.

The 2010 inspection will involve surveys on work protection, work safety and work hygiene in enterprises, business units, co-operatives, craft villages and construction works with high risk of work accidents and occupational diseases.

The workplaces selected will be representative of particular types of industry, such as car manufacturers, garment makers or food processors.

Companies owing large amounts of social-insurance debts will also be targeted because they may not have the funds to cover workers involved in accidents.

The committee also wants to ensure that more than 80 per cent of labourers in danger of getting occupational diseases have regular health checks and, if necessary, treatment.

It has asked the Government to provide VND1.2 billion (US$660,000) to back the citys budget of VND320 million ($17,700) to carry out the inspections.

According to Dang Minh Thuan, vice chairman of the citys Labour Federation, violations of regulations on work safety and protection in enterprises, especially non-state ones, are still common.

An examination of more than 300 enterprises revealed that 60 per cent did not conform with work protection regulations, while 75 per cent had no compensation cover for workers injured in accidents.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News