International Workers Memorial Day – Unions call for more Employee Safety Reps to help save lives & reduce injuries
On Tues April 28 th families, friends and workers across the country commemorated International Workers Memorial Day with a minute's silence to remember those who have been killed at work.
Over 60 people gathered at the Baha'i Centre of Learning for a minute's silence. The gathering it 106 candles to remember workers who have died from work related injury in Tasmania in the last ten years. Secretary of Unions Tasmania, Simon Cocker said: “Workers' Memorial Day is a day for thinking about the families who have lost a loved one and the children who have lost a parent through an unnecessary workplace accident or an industrial disease and an opportunity for all Tasmanians to consider how important it is to have safe workplaces.”
In Tasmania official records show that 12 workers lost their lives in traumatic workplace incidents in 2007/2008 and in 2008/2009 the figure so far is 3 deaths. According to unions, researchers and government agencies, these figures underestimate the true scale of the problem. It is estimated that around 7000 Australians die every year from a workplace injury or work-induced disease.
The number of compensable injuries and illnesses in Tasmania has risen and is once again over ten thousand for the year 2008. Unions are calling for an increase in the number of Employee Safety Representatives (ESRs) to try to curb this shocking problem. “This rise in injuries and illnesses is appalling and we must do everything in our power to stop so many Tasmanians being injured at work,” said Mr Cocker. “Workplace safety representatives are fundamental to protecting health and safety and we need more of them so I am urging all Tasmanian workers and employers to make sure there is safety rep in their workplace.”
Union leaders are also expressing concerns about proposed changes to Occupational Health and Safety laws which would water down the rights of Employee Safety Reps and their ability to consult over safety concerns.
“There are suggestions being made that the role of the Employee Safety Rep should be changed in ways that are not compatible with an elected, voluntary, representative role. These changes would act as serious deterrents to anyone thinking of putting up their hand to be an ESR. Unions will vigorously oppose any watering down of their rights and consultation arrangements,” said Mr Cocker
Think about becoming the safety rep at your workplace. Employee Safety Reps save lives
Calls were also made for the government to shut down the Australian Building and construction Commission as they expressed grave concerns ofver the high number of deaths on construction sites in Australia . “We must acknowledge and take action on the poor level of health and safety and discrimination faced by construction workers as a result of the Australian Building and Construction Commission,” said Unions Tasmania Senior Vice president Roz Madsen, “The ABCC powers are coercive, designed to intimidate building workers and provide fewer rights for those working in the construction industry. They must be abolished.”
Over the past year in Queensland alone, 20 construction workers have lost their lives. In 2004-5, prior to the introduction of the ABCC and special laws which discriminate against building workers, 19 workers died on construction sites nationally, but in 2005-6, the figure jumped to 29 and rose again in 2007 to 33 deaths. Roz added, “When lives are at stake, we need to be improving health and safety standards, not cutting corners or victimising workers who speak out about health and safety.”
Around Australia : Industry Came to Standstill as Thousands Mourn Dead Workers
More than 25,000 Australian construction workers took part in a nation wide stoppage to commemorate colleagues who have been killed on the job.
Across NSW more than 4000 construction workers observed a minutes silence. In Sydney the Westfield shopping centre building site on Pitt Street came to a standstill at 9:15am - In Melbourne 15,000 workers gathered At the Memorial at Victorian Trades Hall the gathering held a minute's silence to remember killed and injured workers. Calls were made to start a campaign of industrial action against the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
At Brisbane 's emotionally charged ceremony 2000 workers gathered and called for a workers memorial in the Roma Street Forum.
In Perth 3000 workers rallied outside of Parliament House.
In Adelaide and Darwin hundreds of workers gathered to take part in a minutes silence and voice their opposition to the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
The You tube video, in memory of those killed was Australia 's number one most viewed video for not-for-profits and activism.
To view the one minute commemoration video from Australia 's construction unions please go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnfJBX2piXY&feature=channel_page
Authorised by Simon Cocker, Unions Tasmania 379 Elizabeth St North Hobart Tasmania 7000 - ph: 03 6234 9553 - site enquiries jprice@unionstas.com.au