Peoples Republic of South Devon

Working model

April 27th, 2007

Trade unions in the People’s Republic are calling on MPs and employers to formally commemorate the two million people killed globally each year as a result of work.

For while April 28 has been designated International Workers Memorial Day by trade unions worldwide since 1990, the UK Government has failed to mark the occasion.

Now the TUC is urging MPs to back calls for formal recognition of the day - both to remember those who died and to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.

South West TUC’s Nigel Costley told PRSD: “On Saturday we’re remembering the dead and fighting for the living. We think the best way to do this is by campaigning for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches in health and safety laws.”

Health and Safety Executive figures show that last year 220 people died of injuries sustained at work, while almost 1,900 died of asbestos cancer mesothelioma and 6,000 from all occupational cancers.

Estimates by other authorities put the figures much higher - 50,000 deaths for illnesses caused or exacerbated by work - while the HSE statistics omit the largest cause of work-related deaths: road traffic accidents which involve people driving as part of their work.

Nigel Costley said: “Whatever the true figures, the fact is that work has a major effect on public health, injury and death, and a great deal more needs to be done to prevent this.

“The costs of work-related ill-health, injury and death are borne by the individuals, their families and the state and not by the employers who caused the problems.”

The TUC hopes MPs will sign an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to formally recognise International Workers Memorial Day, and hopes employers will allow their staff to hold a minute’s silence on the day, as well as working more closely with union-trained health and safety reps.

Posted by Thin White Duke

Entry Filed under: Society