An international trade union movement, Workers’ Memorial Day honours those working people who were sadly killed and injured because of their work.
The day, recognised last weekend, honours all workers and their families who workplace accidents, illnesses, and injuries in the last year have impacted.
Workers’ Memorial Day is also a call to protect and improve the systems that keep workers safe and healthy at work.
In New Zealand, the number of workplace injuries, fatalities, and deaths from work-related health remains unacceptably high.
Every week, 17 workers are killed as a consequence of their work; every 15 minutes, a worker suffers an injury that requires more than a week off work.
Labour Calls For Worker Safety
Labour is calling for more accountability for preventable workplace deaths because everybody who goes to work deserves to come home safely.
“International Workers’ Memorial Day is a chance to reflect on those we have lost in New Zealand and think about how we can improve our laws and policies to make sure everyone who goes to work comes home again,” Labour’s workplace relations and safety spokesperson Camilla Belich said, who calls for the support of her Member’s Bill, the Crimes (Corporate Homicide) Amendment Bill.
“The Bill would introduce a criminal offence of corporate homicide for employers that do not prioritise health and safety at work. Good employers with robust health and safety measures will not be affected.
“Everyone in New Zealand has the right to expect a safe workplace and to be able to come home safely to their family at the end of the day. Sadly, for many people, this is not their reality.
“The International Labour Organisation reports that New Zealand has three times the fatality rate of the United Kingdom. We also know that our fatality rate is almost twice that of Australia. These deaths and injuries are preventable and totally unacceptable.
“The scale of our workplace deaths in New Zealand shows that our current health and safety laws and practices are not working hard enough to protect New Zealanders.”
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