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Date: 26 April 2012
International Workers’ Memorial Day, 28 April: UNISON
calls for stronger regulation and enforcement
Cuts cost lives, says UNISON as it calls for stronger regulations
and enforcement to make workplaces safer.
UNISON’s message comes ahead of International Workers’
Memorial Day – held annually on April 28 – which
aims to remember those who have died and fight to defend health
and safety for workers.
There are events taking place throughout Scotland on the day
to mark the occasion, including a remembrance ceremony in George
Square, Glasgow on Saturday (April 28). Organised by the STUC,
the event will see people from across the city gather to remember
those who have died as a result of their work.
Scott Donohoe, chair of UNISON’s Health and Safety Committee,
said: “At a time when health and safety is set to get
worse, the spending cuts are also reducing the ability of enforcement
authorities to inspect and enforce on health and safety.
“There needs to be a cultural change in the way deaths,
injuries and ill health caused by work are seen by employers,
the public and the government. We need stronger regulation and
enforcement to make workplaces safer.
“The sad reality is that cuts cost lives and we have
to fight to make sure that employers take their health and safety
obligations seriously.”
Mike Kirby, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary, said:
“No one should be put at unnecessary risk at work. UNISON
believes that work-related deaths, ill health and ‘accidents’
are not acceptable. Employers have a responsibility to ensure
that work doesn’t cause harm to their employees –
it’s not only the right thing to do, it’s the law.
“Our branches and activists will be supporting the many
events organised across Scotland to both remember those who
have died and campaign for a change to the culture where employers
feel they can avoid responsibility for their workers’
safety.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
A full programme of events that are taking place on International
Workers’ Memorial Day throughout Scotland can be found
on the STUC’s website http://www.stuc.org.uk/international-workers-memorial-day
For more information contact:
Scott Donohoe, chair of UNISON’s Health and Safety
Committee, on 07866 952 765.
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