Dear readers, we are pleased to present the new issue of Mining Insight. This time, we dedicate a special section to the critical topic of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). This is a national issue that society as a whole must focus on. Therefore, the 3rd National Forum on Occupational Health and Safety, to be held under the patronage of the President of Mongolia, symbolizes the momentum for national reform aimed at creating a people-centered, ethical labor system. This forum is not merely a discussion of issues but should mark the beginning of tangible change and collective responsibility aimed at protecting the lives and health of all individuals. In this special issue, we aim to provide valuable conversations, critical ideas, and solutions from experts in the field, offering knowledge and understanding to guide you on the path of this transformation.
The issue covers various aspects of OHS including system and legal reforms, accidents and injuries, insurance, international trends, new standards of corporate responsibility, human rights, and the intersection with sustainable development. Today, the incidence of occupational accidents and work-related diseases in Mongolia continues to rise and is expected to keep growing. Behind the hundreds of officially registered cases are real people who have lost the quality and value of their work and lives, their families, and the damages inflicted on the country’s productivity and economy. The costs we are bearing for compensating damages far outweigh those we would incur in creating a safe environment and preventing accidents, reflecting a systemic flaw. We cannot ignore this harsh truth; it is time to respond with policy reforms. Therefore, the law on Occupational Health and Safety is about to be revised. The legal framework for OHS needs to be updated, insurance funding must be directed correctly, an electronic monitoring system must be established, and we must shift to a preventative policy that protects human lives and health. The revised bill is based on a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, creating an electronic monitoring system, ensuring the participation of both employers and employees, and properly directing insurance funds. The reform plan for 2025 2028 outlines clearer roles, participation, and cooperation between the government, private sector, and professional organizations, with measurable indicators of real results. Protecting human lives and health is not just an issue of occupational safety. It is the foundation of human rights, social justice, and sustainable business growth. As emphasized by D. Naransukh, the Director of the OHS Center, in an interview, “There is a world of difference between living to 80 in good health and living to 80 in poor health.” This truth should be at the forefront of the attention of employers, employees, and policymakers alike. In this Issue, readers will learn that OHS is not a cost, but a smart investment to reduce risks and protect your business. OHS is not just about rules, but the foundation of a people-centered culture.
In this issue, readers will understand that OHS is not just a set of rules, but the foundation of a people-centered culture. OHS is not only an issue relevant to mines and factories, but it is the right and social protection of every worker. Today, we are stepping into an era where businesses are evaluated not only by profit but also by how many lives and health they have been able to protect. Organizations that uphold human rights, protect their employees, and grow sustainably are now being defined as successful businesses. We too need to adopt this trend in Mongolia. This new labor culture will not be built by government agencies alone, but through the collaboration of the government, private sector, and society. Employers, employees, policymakers, and professional organizations all need to contribute and take responsibility from their respective positions. Every worker must work in a safe environment, and every employer must create a healthy business environment. This is the foundation of sustainable development. The 3rd National Forum on Occupational Health and Safety marks the beginning of this. Every individual has the right to work in a healthy and safe environment. Let us all work together to create a culture and system that respects, protects, and supports this right.
