SMEs should uphold policies that promote productivity

The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, has urged businesses in the small and medium enterprises sector to uphold stipulated workplace policies that will ensure adequate productivity.Speaking at the 2011 SME workplace policy workshop on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, organised by Access Bank Plc in partnership with Friends Africa in Lagos, last week, Fashola noted that entrepreneurs in the sector needed to be aware of issues on health at the workplace.According to her, some SMEs are ignorant of the destruction caused by the three diseases, stressing that the development had impacted negatively on the output of such firms and at several instances, had led to deaths of some employees.She said, "SMEs in Lagos State and those in Nigeria, should be aware of the grave havoc caused by the pandemics HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria both at the workplace and even at home."That is why we are supporting Access Bank and Friends Africa in this fight against the scourge which these diseases have caused in our continent, knowing how it had impacted negatively on the productive capacity of companies and how it had taken the lives of our loved ones."Fashola, who was represented by Mrs. Bukola Holloway ,advised participants at the workshop to abide by recommended workplace policies, stressing that it would guarantee beneficial returns to their businesses.Speaking on the development, the Head Corporate Social Responsibility,Access Bank, Ms. Omobolanle Babatunde, noted that the impact of the three diseases in the continent could not be overemphasised, stressing that it had devastating effects on the society, governments, organisations, communities and families.She said, "It had been my contention that businesses can no longer afford to ignore the reality that Africa is home to the worlds fastest growing and youngest-hitting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria pandemics."These diseases are issues very close to businesses and very close to everyone living and working in Africa. We are all affected by the epidemic in some way, at our workplace and in our private lives."The Chief Executive Officer, Friends of the Global Fund Africa, Dr. Akudo Anyanwu, said,"If we are to scale back these diseases, and thereby propel Africa into the 21st century, we need to possess the understanding of their prevention, detection and treatment."African businesses benefit the most from a healthy Africa, as they have a larger, more affluent market to buy products and from which to draw their employees."
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