LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND
THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF WORK SAFETY
OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
REGARDING ADDITIONAL COOPERATION
RELATING TO WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH
Acknowledging that the Department of Labor of the United States of America (USDOL) and the State Administration of Work Safety of the People's Republic of China (SAWS) entered into an Understanding on Cooperation in Mine Safety and Health in October 2002; and
Acknowledging that both USDOL and SAWS wish to broaden their cooperation in the areas of workplace safety and health;
USDOL and SAWS intend to initiate additional cooperative activities as described below:
Overall Objective
USDOL and SAWS reaffirm their common objective stated in the October 2002 Understanding, namely, to ensure economic growth, create employment, raise living standards and support widely shared prosperity, and to provide workers with safe work environments, in accordance with relevant international safe work principles, while fully respecting the national laws and legal provisions of each country.
Areas for Additional Cooperation
USDOL and SAWS intend to undertake additional technical cooperation activities in the area of workplace safety and health. Specifically, such activities should include but not be limited to:
- Enforcement of laws and regulations on workplace safety and health;
- Emergency response procedures generally applicable to workplace accidents and incidents;
- The role of private insurance programs in the promotion of workplace safety and health;
- Public awareness raising of workplace safety and health laws and regulations;
- Effective collection and analysis of workplace safety and health data; and
- Regulation and inspection relating to the production, handling and distribution of hazardous chemicals.
Forms of Cooperation
Unless otherwise mutually agreed, USDOL and SAWS should utilize the following forms of cooperation.
- Exchange of information and materials in the relevant fields;
- Seminars/workshops
- Exchange visit of senior officials and experts;
- Cooperation projects.
USDOL and SAWS intend to designate within each government the appropriate technical agencies to extend cooperation under this Letter of Understanding. Overall coordination for all activities under this Letter of Understanding should be done through the Bureau of International Labor Affairs of USDOL and the Department of International Cooperation of SAWS.
Where considered appropriate and necessary to achieve the objectives of this Letter of Understanding, upon mutual agreement, USDOL and SAWS may invite the participation of representatives of workers, employers and non governmental organizations.
USDOL and SAWS intend to bear the cost of activities under this Letter of Understanding jointly, with each side paying for its own expenses unless otherwise specifically agreed. It is understood that the activities to be undertaken pursuant to this Letter of Understanding are subject to the availability of duly authorized and appropriated funds.
This Letter of Understanding is effective from the date of the signing for a consecutive twelvemonth period. It may be amended or extended by written consent of USDOL and SAWS. This Letter of Understanding is void three months following written notification by either USDOL or SAWS to the other.
Signed in Beijing, in duplicate, on this 21st day of June 2004, in English and Chinese.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
|
FOR THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF
WORK SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: |
|
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