Every year more people are
killed at work than in wars. Most don’t die of mystery ailments, or in tragic
“accidents”. They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn’t that
important a priority. Workers’ Memorial Day (WMD) commemorates those workers.
The 28 April annual event is marked all over the world, as workers and their
representatives conduct events, demonstrations, vigils and a plethora of other
activities to mark the day
As
preparations begin for this year’s event, the TUC has announced the global
campaign focus. “In 2016 the theme for the day is ‘Strong Laws – Strong
enforcement – Strong Unions’ because across the world we are seeing growing
attacks on health and safety protection, including in Britain where the
government have removed protection from millions of self-employed workers, and
across Europe where the European Commission is pursuing a dangerous
deregulatory strategy,” the union body said.
“However
strong laws are not enough if they are not going to be enforced. That is why we
need proper inspections and enforcement action against those who break the
laws.”
The TUC
said that in UK the number of inspections has fallen dramatically in the past
five years, while in many other countries enforcement is non-existent. “That is
why we also need strong unions. Unionised workplaces are safer, yet the government
is trying to stop unions protecting the health and safety of their members by
restricting the right of health and safety representatives to take time off to
keep the workplace safer, and also trying to reduce our right to strike when
things go wrong.
