The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said that workers’ health and safety is not a ‘luxury’ to be dispensed with when budgetary constraints dictated and called for full resourcing and strict enforcement of safety regulations, to prevent death or injury at work.
The call was made by Congress General Secretary, David Begg, at an event to mark Worker’s Memorial Day on Monday, 28th April - an international day of remembrance for those killed, injured or made unwell by their work.
Begg unveiled a commemorative plaque at a special dedication ceremony at the headquarters of the Communications’ Workers Union (CWU), in Dublin.
Speaking at the event, Begg said: “As we gather to mark Workers’ Memorial Day 2014, we should remember that the health and safety of working people is not a luxury that can be dispensed with as budgetary constraints dictate. No family should ever see a loved one arrive home from work in a coffin or on a stretcher. Doing our utmost to prevent death and injury in the workplace must be a given, not an afterthought. And that requires proper resources combined with a rigorous inspection regime and strict enforcement. That is the only fitting tribute we could pay to the memory of those who have lost their lives or been injured at work.”
Labour MEP for Dublin, Emer Costello said: "It is not acceptable that almost 5,000 workers across Europe, including 47 in Ireland, died in workplace accidents last year. Good health and safety rules are absolutely essential in the workplace.”
See http://www.ictu.ie/healthandsafety/workers-memorial-day-2014/ for photos from the event.
