Category Archives: 2016

2016 Croatia

Croatia: Unions focus on workplace cancers on 28 April

 In Croatia, the UATUC has succeeded the challenge of bringing 28th April commemoration to the heart of a series of union events which start on the 26th and run until May Day.

To be highlighted are two conferences – one on healthy workplaces for all ages, one calling for stopping workplace cancers- which will be organised on April 27th. UATUC also informed us of a strong focus on solidarity with refugees which they will be having in this week of mobilisations. More information on these actions can be found in UATUC Facebook events: https://www.facebook.com/events/1734557166789638/ and https://www.facebook.com/events/1688197528097972/

2016 Bangladesh, Events listing, News

Bangladesh: Unions do not forget Rana Plaza and fight for no more deaths

Video

On the occasion of 28th April 2016, Bangladeshi unions will mobilise with a week of events, which will include meetings on compensation and rehabilitation for Rana Plaza victim workers, a commemoration of the tragedy on April 24th both with OSHE as a lead organiser and a demonstration on April 28th to honour all who died and got sick at work.

Last April 24th, in the occasion of 3rd anniversary of Rana Plaza Tragedy, the Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) organised a victim demonstration  (9am morning) followed by meetings for Rana Plaza Survivors in Savar  with mobilization of media. When it comes to April 28th, a workers demo will be organised in Dhaka calling for strong law and strong enforcement in workplaces.

The demo would be a joint endeavour by the Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE), Bangladesh Free Trade Unions Congress (BFTUC) and other associated trade unions and industrial federations.

The video “Growth with Tears” on the struggle of Rana Plaza victims and can be viewed below:

For more information, pl. contact Repon Chowdhury, BFTUC  bftuc@agni.com  repon.chowdhury@gmail.com

2016 Australia, Events listing, News

Australia: Unions call on workers to put the tools down for Workers’ Memorial Day

On 28th April, the Australian trade union movement will mobilise in all Australian provinces for occupational health and safety and to ensure we remember those who died or loose their health at work, and keep the fight for the living. A  smart social media kit has been produced  (something that hopefully will inspire others!) https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/victorianunions/pages/1798/attachments/original/1461051236/ohs_kit_digital.pdf?1461051236

For more information on Australian actions for 28th April, please contact Amy Jenkins, Victorian Trades Hall Council, ajenkins@vthc.org.au

2016 Canada, Events listing, News

Canada: CUPE calls for full asbestos ban

On April 28, the Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job, CUPE is renewing its call for a comprehensive ban on asbestos in Canada—the number one cause of occupational death in Canada.

It’s estimated that asbestos-related diseases kill more than 2,000 people ever year in Canada. Many Canadians, including CUPE members, go to work every day in hospitals, schools, and other buildings that contain the deadly substance. Despite these facts, Canada continues to import asbestos in products like brake pads and cement pipes. In fact, just last year before losing power the Harper government actually made it easier to import products containing asbestos.

“The Harper government showed a repeated disregard for the health and safety of Canadians. This Liberal government now has an opportunity to show that they do care—that the lives of countless workers across Canada matter to them,” said CUPE National President Mark Hancock. “It’s time to catch up with the rest of the world. On April 28, we’re calling on the Trudeau government to ban the import, export and use of asbestos in Canada.”

The federal government recently announced that they have banned the use of asbestos in the construction or renovation of federal buildings, but Hancock says if they’re serious, the government must go further.

“We’re happy to see progress on this issue, but unless they ban it completely, banning it in federal buildings alone just creates a sad double-standard,” said Hancock. “Banning asbestos isn’t hard! Fifty-six countries around the world have done it. All workers deserve this basic protection.”

Beyond failing to impose a domestic ban, Canada has long been one of a small handful of countries that opposed adding chrysotile asbestos to the hazardous chemical list covered by the United Nations Rotterdam Convention. Including asbestos in the convention would help protect workers both here in Canada and abroad by making it more difficult to import and export the deadly product.

Take action:

Attachments Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau

http://cupe.ca/cupe-calls-full-asbestos-ban

2016 Bangladesh, 2016 Pakistan, Events listing, Gallery

Pakistan and Bangladesh: Rana Plaza anniversary

On 24 April 2016 workers in Bangladesh and Pakistan remembered the dead and demanded improved factory safety and punishment to those responsible for the tragedy. IndustriALL website

Read more: Workers demand justice on third anniversary of Rana Plaza collapse

imadeyourclothes

2016, 2016 Ukraine, Events listing

Ukraine: Construction union presents report to Government on 28 April

BWI affiliate, Construction and Building Materials Industry Workers’ Union in Ukraine “Profbud” has prepared a critique of current legislation on H&S in the Ukraine construction industry. The 90 page report will be presented to government and industry on 28th April in an International Workers Memorial Day event, with a strong recommendation to ratify C167. The report will then be translated and submitted to the ILO.

Next year at the ILC there will be a discussion, in the Committee for Application of Standards, on ILO C167 on H&S in construction. The BWI has alerted affiliates and advised on comments for the ILC discussion.

2016, 2016 UK, Events listing

Hazards at Work – get your copy now!

Ahead of International Workers’ Memorial Day the TUC has published the new edition of their  best-selling guide to health and safety at work.

It is used by reps, officers, employers, professionals in the field and even enforcement officers.

This fifth edition is published at a time when the regulations that underpin workers’ protection are still under government scrutiny. It is no secret that cost-cutting and an obsession with ‘red tape’ lie behind the motives for reducing the impact of some laws, or even repealing others completely.

That is why trade union reps, officers and anyone with a practical interest in health and safety matters should have a copy of the 2016 edition of Hazards at Work. It explains the way unions organise to improve health, safety and welfare, how the law has changed in recent years and gives full details of the key legal provisions and how they are enforced.

As in previous editions, the ever-popular core of the book is the 24-chapter section on the common hazards and causes of ill health at work, and how to assess and prevent them.

The book is an A4 size, 368-page, single volume softback, with a section on people in ‘special’ categories, such as young workers, casual workers, agency workers and disabled workers. The book also contains HSE and other guidance, extensive checklists, case studies and web resources.

“There are still too many people living with, and dying of, workplace injuries and illnesses. This book is the TUC’s most comprehensive tool for understanding, assessing and dealing with workplace hazards.”
Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary

Order your copy now!

There are two ways you can get hold of your copy of Hazards at Work:

Briefing

https://www.tuc.org.uk/node/60270

2016, 2016 Norway, Events listing

On 28 April Norwegian unions will engage with social partners and the administration on OHS

For this 28th April, Norwegian national center LO and educational association AOF  are organizing a meeting to focus on occupational health and safety challenges for Norwegian workers, while also looking into the international picture. The program includes posts about work and health, work-related diseases and injuries, and work life/work environment issues, seen from the social partners’ side as well as from the Labour Inspectorate.

The full programme can be downloaded here

2016, 2016 Slovenia, Events listing

Slovenia: Unions demand new regulations on occupational health

Ljubljana, 22 April – The ZSSS trade union confederation has called on the government to adopt better regulations on occupational safety and health as it expressed support for a campaign to amend the directive on protection of workers from risks related to the exposure to carcinogens or mutagens.

https://english.sta.si/2255811/unions-demand-new-regulations-on-occupational-health

2016 Canada, Events listing, graphics

Canada: CUPE events in Alberta

DayofMourning-Banner-01

Every day, workers around the world are injured and killed while trying to earn a living. In Alberta, workplace deaths number in the hundreds per year.

On April 28th we pause to remember those injured and killed while working, and re-commit to improving conditions so further deaths will not occur.

The last year has sadly seen its share of workplace deaths and injuries. However, there is some good news. Alberta has joined other provinces in Canada in protecting agricultural workers under labour and health and safety laws. In the first three months of 2016, WCB Alberta has approved 159 applications for compensation from farmworkers – applications that would have been denied last year.

There is still much more to be done. Workplace deaths are preventable. Please keep working to make our jobs safer.

Click here to find out about April 28 events in your area.

http://alberta.cupe.ca/2016/04/22/april-28-day-of-mourning/