BWI has highlighted fatal injury figures from cement giants Holcim and Lafarge which reveal the true cost of outsourcing and precarious work. Their annual reports show that almost 300 people lost their lives working for these companies between 2011 and 2014.
BWI demands “Holcim and Lafarge, before their mega merger, reconsider their reckless employment policies and labour practices and start putting people before profits. No merger without workers’ health and safety rights!”
Building and Woodworkers International (BWI) Philippine affiliates Associated Labor Unions (ALU) and National Unions in Building and Construction Workers (NUBCW) will observe the International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) on Tuesday, April 28th and jointly launch the ‘Workers’ Rights on Wheels’ (WROW) as a tool to raise awareness among employers, government and workers of their labor rights and responsibilities.
Not more 200 members from ALU and NUBCW will march with their WROW vehicles to the Philippine Labor department’s Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) office to publicly address government negligence amid the rising patterns of safety lapses in the construction work sites that caused the death and injury of several workers.
The participants will then handover a call to action addressed to the Center containing demands to revive the tripartite safety inspection patrol, stronger penalty against project owners and contractors who violate safety standards and prescribed wages, and limit to only three the layers of sub-contracting.
Prior to the march, participants will be given updates on ban asbestos campaign and will be given tips on improving health and safety practices in the workplace. The morning gathering will be highlighted by an indoor candle lighting ceremony in observance of the IWMD.
Website: www.alu.org.ph • BWI news release
In Pakistan, the PFBWW will be holding a public meeting at the Tarbela Dam Extension Project (Phase IV) located in Haripur district
In Nepal, the BWI Nepal Affiliates Committee will run health and Safety awareness activities and demonstrate protective equipment usage at a construction site of a member-contractor of Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal (FCAN) in the outskirts of Kathmandu. They will distribute free nose masks to workers.
An interesting interview with Apolinar Tolentino, BWI Regional Representative for Asia/Pacific on how safe construction workers are in the Philippines.
Italian construction unions have prepared a poster on accidents, asbestos and occupational diseases for action on 28 April.
In Burkina Faso FTBBF union activists will engage in dialogue and health and safety management and participation training with companies on 27 and 28 April.
In Côte d’Ivoire SYNASODEFOR union health and safety meetings and training will be held at the SinoHydro construction project between 27 and 29 April.
In Gabon UTBTPBSP union activists will engage in dialogue and health and safety management and participation training with companies on 27 and 28 April.
In Ghana Timber and Woodworkers’ Union (TWU) activists will engage in dialogue and health and safety management and participation training with companies on 27 and 28 April.
In Kenya KUPRIPUPA union activists will engage in dialogue and health and safety management and participation training with companies on 27 and 28 April.
Mauritius To mark 28 April the Mauritius Trade Union Congress (MTUC) is holding a one day reflection on ‘Awareness of occupational safety and health issues in the workplace and the contribution of trade unions in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work’ at the Emmanuel Anquetil Labour Centre, MTUC Office, GRNW, Port Louis, Mauritius on Monday 27th April 2015. Delegates from affiliates of MTUC and from other Confederations including that of Council of Trade Unions (CDS) will participate. Opening ceremony at 9.30 a.m will be attended by the Minister of Labour Industrial relations and Employment.
Also: CMWEU plans to create awareness on occupational safety and health issues at sixty workplaces through a campaign against psychosocial hazards.
In Namibia MANWU plans to raise awareness of occupational safety and health issues in the workplace highlighting the important contribution unions make to the prevention of accidents and ill health at work.
In Mozambique SINTAF and SINTICIM plan to raise awareness of occupational safety and health issues in the workplace highlighting the important contribution unions make to the prevention of accidents and ill health at work.
In Zambia NUBEGW plans to raise awareness of occupational safety and health issues in the workplace highlighting the important contribution unions make to the prevention of accidents and ill health at work.
Con varias iniciativas y actividades, el Sindicato Único Nacional de Trabajadores de la Construcción y Similares de Panamá (SUNTRACS) conmemorará el día de los trabajadores fallecidos, lesionados y aquejados de enfermedades profesionales en los distintos proyectos de construcción a nivel nacional. Más
Los sindicatos de la ICM es movilizarán alrededor del Día Internacional de homenaje a los todos los trabajadores (as) que han sufrido accidentes, lesiones y muertes por motivo de sus labores diarias de trabajo – 28 de abril de 2015. Sabemos que los sindicatos hacen el trabajo más seguro. Al tener una fuerte representación en el lugar de trabajo, con representantes de seguridad de los sindicatos, podemos asegurarnos de que los empleadores cumplan con las leyes y reglamentos de seguridad y traten a la fuerza de trabajo con respeto. Esta es la máxima prioridad para nuestro Manifiesto de Salud y Seguridad 2015.
http://www.bwint.org/default.asp?Index=6143&Language=ES
Les syndicats de l’IBB se mobiliseront autour de la Journée internationale de commémoration des travailleurs – le 28 Avril 2015. Nous savons que les syndicats rendent le travail plus sûr. En ayant une forte représentation dans le milieu de travail, avec des représentants syndicaux de sécurité, nous pouvons nous assurer que les employeurs respectent les lois et règlements de sécurité et traitent les travailleurs avec respect. C’est la priorité absolue pour notre Manifeste sur la Santé et la Sécurité 2015.
http://www.bwint.org/default.asp?Index=6140&Language=FR