All posts by Jawad

#iwmd22, 2022, 2022 Asia-Pacific, 2022 New Zealand, Events listing, News

New Zealand: On 28 April NZISM is to commence a major safety management project

Wednesday, 27 April 2022, 2:01 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Institute of Safety Management

In New Zealand, too many people are injured or die as a result of what they do for a living. The New Zealand Institute of Safety Management’s (NZISM) purpose is to influence better health and safety outcomes at work.

As part of this effort, NZISM has commenced a major project to coordinate the actions of the three key stakeholders in advanced health and safety education in New Zealand: the employers; our students; and NZ tertiary institutions. A soon-to-be-released study produced by the NZISM Tertiary Lead will reveal that these three groups are working largely in isolation from each other and, as a result, the safety education environment is disjointed, relatively unresponsive to the needs of the country, and inconsistent in its content and approach.

As a starting point, the study observed that the 2013 Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety called for a ‘step-change’ in New Zealand safety to radically improve our woeful record of workplace injuries and fatalities. It anticipated that … “within 10 years New Zealand will be among the best places in the world for people to go to work each day and come home safe and sound”. Nine years on and this ‘step-change’ has not happened:
Last week, a further two workers died in two separate port incidents.

What will it take to make the ‘step-change’ required by the Independent Taskforce, way back in 2013?

NZISM conducted a systematic qualitative study – seeking the thoughts and opinions of the three stakeholder groups – along with a review of relevant scientific literature. Eight key themes emerged from this research. Each theme has been analysed in reference to the literature, and will result in a number of recommendations to be released in the coming weeks.

New Zealand lags well behind other OECD countries in its safety record. Our farms, forests, construction sites, ports, and many other places of work in this country are simply not managed well enough to prevent fatalities and injuries.

The recommendations of the NZISM study are required in order to achieve significant improvement in New Zealand’s health and safety record – and to achieve the ‘step-change’ called for in the 2013 Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety report.

This year, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work will not be a celebration of success in New Zealand. It will be yet another ‘Workers’ Memorial Day’. But NZISM expects that with a higher standard of safety education and application, New Zealand will achieve meaningful improvement in its safety performance in the coming years. We have to.

#iwmd22

#iwmd22, 2022, 2022 Europe, 2022 Gibraltar, Events listing, News

Gibraltar: Unite the Union and HM Government mark Workers’ Memorial Day jointly

The Workers’ Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Thursday 28th April 2022. The event is jointly organised by Gibraltar Cultural Services for Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar and Unite the Union.

The occasion will be celebrated with a short ceremony at the Alameda Gardens from 10:30 am. The Minister with Responsibility for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Steven Linares MP will lead the ceremony.

The Minister with responsibility for Industrial Relations, the Hon Steven Linares MP, said: “As the new Minister for Industrial Relations, I am extremely happy to work closely with Unite to celebrate Workers’ Memorial Day. It’s a day that our government proudly declared a Bank Holiday in 2011 when we were elected, and celebrated since. This is a day to remind us of the sacrifices workers have endured, particularly those who have been hurt, injured, or killed at work.

“Furthermore, having worked closely with the unions in my capacity as Minister for Employment, it’s great to see that we are now in a position to commence implementing the Health and Safety at Work policy within government departments.”

Source: HM Government of Gibraltar

Unite 

PLUS: Chief Minister’s Message on Workers Memorial Day 2022 

#iwmd22

#iwmd22, 2022, 2022 Europe, 2022 Ireland, Events listing, News

Ireland: ICTU supports the ETUC’s Zero work deaths campaign on 28 April

 

Thursday 28th April 2022 – Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living

Congress,  along with the Government, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), Ibec, and the CIF will collectively mark Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland on April 28th  at the national and annual commemorative event to remember people killed, injured, made ill and bereaved through work-related accidents.

Congress President Kevin Callinan will be joined by Sharon McGuinness, CEO of the Health & Safety Authority, and Minister Damien English TD who will lay a wreath in Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance on behalf of the state to remember those workers we have lost. They will be joined by members of the Deasy family, whose son Lorcan died in a construction accident.

In Ireland in the ten year period between 2012 and 2021, 481 people were killed in work-related incidents and many thousands more were severely injured or made ill. In 2021, 38 people were killed in accidents. We know that in addition to these official figures, we have also lost many front-line workers to Covid-19 over the last 2 years.

Part of the tragedy of these losses is that we actually know how to stop workplace fatalities and injuries. The evidence is there. It involves workers and managers cooperating to create safe systems of work, to assess hazards and to reduce risks. It involves education and training for workers and management and support for the role of safety reps in our workplaces. It requires monitoring, prevention, protection, and reporting. And it also requires compliance measures including inspections, and penalties for those who do not take their legal and moral responsibilities seriously.

Congress will therefore be supporting a new campaign promoted by the European Trade Union Confederation for “Zero Deaths” at work. Zero death at work is not a utopian dream. The trend in fatal workplace accidents is down and eradication of fatal accidents is achievable. Every death at work is one too many.

The EU’s current health and safety strategy says “All efforts must be deployed to reduce work-related deaths as much as possible, in line with a Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths”. These are fine words, but the actions promised in it will not achieve zero deaths. However, we know that the tools exist to make this happen. It just needs commitment and political will. We need the EU, our own government, our partners gathered here today, and trade unions also, to “walk the walk” rather than “talk the talk”.

This means a concerted joined-up effort to

–   Prevent workplace accidents and occupational diseases, stopping exposure to hazardous and cancer-causing substances and being ready for further pandemics

– Making the physical and mental health of workers the point of departure when organising work and designing the workplace.

While fatal accidents are declining, occupational diseases are increasing. Some 100,000 workers in Europe die every year from occupational cancer due to exposure to hazardous substances. Long working hours and psychological pressure at work cause heart-disease, stroke, depression, and suicide. Bad posture, repetitive movement and heavy lifting cause backpain and other ‘musculoskeletal’ disorders and in turn cause depression and people being unable to work.

Source: ICTU

 

#iwmd22, 2022, 2022 North America, 2022 USA, Events listing, graphics, News, Resources

USA: Day Labor Network message, report and graphics to mark 28 April

 

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New NDLON Report sheds light on day laborers as second responders in climate disasters!

This week, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network launched its new REPORT: “Recovering from Climate Disasters: Immigrant Day Laborers as Second Responders.”

The report launch is part of a week-long series of actions and events in commemoration of #WorkersMemorialDay #IWMD22.

After Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans in 2021, NDLON’s Disaster Response Brigade of worker-trainers conducted outreach and training across the impacted area, surveying day laborers on wages, health hazards, and awareness of their rights, while also sharing resources and documenting the realities for working people on the ground in the midst of the recovery.

The climate crisis is exacerbating a crisis of abuse and unsafe work conditions for workers nationwide – and we need to respond and organize accordingly.

Check out the report and share your support for #SecondResponders on social media!

Read full report, link in our bio.

#SecondResponders #NDLON #DisasterRelief #ClimateJustice #WorkerMigrantJustice

#iwmd22, 2022, 2022 Asia-Pacific, 2022 Australia, Events listing, graphics, News

Australia: Government ‘missing in action’ on health and safety

Australia: Government ‘missing in action’ on health and safety
Australia’s national union organisation ACTU has released a new report: “Morrison Missing In Action on Work Health and Safety”. The report is available online.
Australia’s premier Scott Morrison has overseen “an appalling 32 per cent  increase in workplace fatalities and an 8 per cent increase in workplace injuries since 2018.”

Australian Council of Trade Unions
w actu.org.au
w australianunions.org.au
Facebook /AustralianUnions
Twitter @UnionsAustralia  #iwmd22
Instagram @AusUnions

#iwmd22, 2022, 2022 Global, Events listing, News

Global: IndustriALL – Health and safety must be a fundamental principle and right at work

27 April, 2022 As we prepare for International Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April to remember the unnecessary, tragic losses of workers’ lives, we hope to celebrate a milestone in the global efforts to stem the tide of deaths in the world of work. A better tomorrow, where workers will be safe in the knowledge that health and safety will be a fundamental principle and right at work.

“A fundamental rights approach to health and safety provides a human rights lens. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights include a duty and responsibility to protect the health and safety of workers. Such a human rights-based approach will have the effect of creating coherence between human rights and occupational health and safety standards and reinforce the principle that all workers share the right to a safe and healthy working environment,”

says IndustriALL assistant general secretary Kan Matsuzaki.

While IndustriALL Global Union applauds the ILO Governing Body’s decision in March to agree to put forth the discussion for an amendment to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work to include occupational safety and health during the International Labour Conference in June 2022, we demand no less than an agreement. It has been three years since the ILO Centenary Conference agreed to the amendment and in that time

“around 8.1 million people have died as a result of their work and even more now live with life-altering injuries and illnesses,”

says ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow.

According to an estimate by the Workplace Safety and Health Institute, across the world in 2017, 2.78 million deaths were the result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases. The biggest share of work-related mortality was from work-related illnesses, which accounted for 2.40 million (86.3 per cent) of the total estimated deaths. Fatal injuries accounted for the remaining 13.7 per cent.
In 2019, the World Health Organization estimated that workplace-related deaths exceed the average annual deaths from road accidents (999,000), war (502,000), violence (563,000) and HIV/AIDS (312,000).

“Many of IndustriALL’s sectors, like mining, shipbreaking, chemicals and textile and garment, mirror these statistics, which also show a stark regional difference,”

says IndustriALL mining and health and safety director Glen Mpufane.

 

In combination with other fundamental principles and rights, recognizing health and safety as a fundamental principle offers workers a fighting chance to win the war. IndustriALL is calling on its more than million members across the world to participate in events and activities on 28 April, demand that employers and governments act by:

  • ratifying and implementing core ILO health and safety conventions
  • ratifying and implementing all sectoral or hazard-specific conventions
  • establishing national health and safety bodies bringing unions and employer representatives together
  • requiring occupational health services for all, and proper compensation including recognizing Covid-19 as an occupational disease

Let us know what action you are taking in making the demand for the recognizing of health and safety as a fundamental principle and right – it could be webinars, protests, online statements, petitions, workplace inspections. Please tag IndustriALL on social media and use the hashtag #IWMD22

The ILO is hosting a webinar, Act together to build a positive safety and health culture – World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2022, with ILO Director General Guy Ryder and global leaders and experts. You can register here.

Cover photo: Marcel Crozet / ILO

#iwmd22

2022, 2022 Asia-Pacific, 2022 Tasmania, Events listing, News

Unions Tasmania to host services to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day in Hobart and Launceston

Media Release: Unions Tasmania to host services to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day in Hobart and Launceston

 Unions Tasmania will host two services tomorrow to commemorate International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD), a day marked annually across the globe to remember those workers who were killed or injured on the job. We will be joined by workers, union members and families of injured or deceased workers to acknowledge this important day.

“We host these services every year to say to injured workers and families who have lost loved ones that we haven’t forgotten about your pain and that we are committed to the continuing fight for improved workplace safety,” said Unions Tasmania Secretary Jessica Munday.

“In Australia a worker is killed every two days. Last year, 7623 Tasmanian workers made a claim for workers compensation, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. We’re seeing emerging threats to health and safety such as increasing silicosis diagnoses and a huge increase in mental health injuries.”

“The Morrison Government has ignored the need for significant reform in workplace health and safety. They’ve refused to legislate for industrial manslaughter, ignored a wealth of evidence including that of the Boland Review into Work Health and Safety Laws and the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s Respect@Work Report, that make a broad range of recommendations to improve our safety laws,” said Ms Munday. “So today is also day to demand more action from Government.”

Unions welcome Labor commitment to fund the completion of the Workers’ Memorial Park

Unions Tasmania also warmly welcomes the commitment from Ross Hart and the Labor Party to fund the completion of the Workers’ Memorial Park in Launceston.

“For years, we have called for the State and Federal Liberal Governments to fund this Park. It’s been an absolute kick in the guts to family members like Guy Hudson that those Governments have denied all requests for funding and taken no action to see the Park finished. We congratulate the Labor Party for recognising the importance of workplace safety and understanding how important it is to have a memorial for workers who left for work and did not return home,” said Ms Munday.

Launceston
When:             Thursday 28 April
Time:               8am
Location:        Workers Memorial Park, Elizabeth Gardens (near UTAS Stadium)
Speakers:        Jessica Munday, Guy Hudson, CFMEU Manufacturing Division National Secretary Michael O’Connord
https://www.unionstas.com.au/news-events/events/international-workers-memorial-day-launceston-service/

Hobart
When:             Thursday 28 April
Time:               12:30pm
Location:        Franklin Square, Hobart
Speakers:        Jessica Munday and a correctional officer
https://www.unionstas.com.au/news-events/events/international-workers-memorial-day-hobart-service/

For further information: Jessica Munday 0417 454 809

#iwmd22

Uncategorized
Quote

The majority of work-related deaths and accidents in the world happen in #ASIA. This must be stopped. Workers must be guaranteed safe and healthy working conditions. This #IWMD22, we say, “Recognise #OSH as a fundamental ILO right at work!”

ITUC Asia-Pacific

 

Uncategorized
Quote

“Today, we commemorate International Workers Memorial Day #IWMD22. 3 million workers die of work accidents and diseases each year. Occupational health and safety must be at the centre of fundamental rights”

Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary.

2022, 2022 Canada, 2022 North America, Events listing, News

Canada: National Day of Mourning: Work shouldn’t hurt

National Day of Mourning: Work shouldn’t hurt

On National Day of Mourning April 28, PSAC recognizes the exemplary work of PSAC members who saved countless lives defending the health and safety of workers during the pandemic.

From mandating employers to develop COVID-19 protocols, administrative controls and ventilation and sanitation policies, unions and activists have played a key role in keeping workers safe. Their work has been possible because of the strong health and safety legislation, compliance and enforcement that unions have fought for to protect workers in Canada and around the world.

Unfortunately, not all workers have access to these same protections, and we have a responsibility to ensure all workers have a right to a safe workplace.

In Canada, many workers, especially gig economy workers, do not have basic health and safety protections like the right to know about hazards in the workplace. Other workers, including long-term care, gig and frontline workers, have insufficient sick days and limited health and safety protections. In the 2022 budget, the federal government has committed to providing 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, but these benefits need to be extended to all workers.

That’s why PSAC and other unions are pushing governments to make occupational health and safety a fundamental right at work through the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO). Here, we organize together under the same vision: work shouldn’t hurt.

Both in Canada and around the world, millions of people continue to die because of their work. The most recent data from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) shows that in 2019, 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada. That’s on top of the 271,806 accepted claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease.

Canada must be a leader and act to ratify and implement core ILO health and safety conventions that guarantee occupational health rights and protections for all workers, as well as protections against violence and harassment.

PSAC also recommits to hold all employers to the highest standards of health and safety in the workplace, so all workers can go home safely at the end the day.

You can observe the National Day of Mourning by:

#iwmd22

Source

Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada