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Workers Memorial Day Warning Cuts Cost Lives

Dave Joyce, CWU's health, safety and environment officer, was amongst many Trade Union officials speaking today on Workers Memorial Day, about the current government's plans for health and safety.

He said: "At a time when our government is launching a review of health and safety legislation, days like today remind us all of the need for eternal vigilance. The Workers Memorial Day slogan is: 'Remember the dead - fight for the living' and those sentiments have never been more appropriate than they are today."

Dave added:

"Government cuts of 35% in the budget of the Health and Safety Executive budget and 28% to Local Authorities, will reduce the already ineffective state of policing workplace safety and health which allows workers to be killed, injured, and made ill at a rate never reported in the tabloid press.

Within this overall assault there is a massive threat to both the laws and enforcement that protect the safety and the health of all workers, in what will inevitably be a race to the bottom.

No-one voted for the slashing of the most basic right to go to work safely and without risk to your short or long term health, and to come home alive and undamaged to your family at the end of the day."

UNISON also warned that the number of workplace deaths will rocket, as Government cuts and job losses pile pressure on workers and lead to bosses cutting corners.


Staff who keep their jobs will be expected to do more work, with bullying, lone working, manual handling, stress and violence running rife. Health and safety enforcement agencies are also being hit by huge cut backs, which will lead to failures in dodging daily dangers.

UNISON issued a press release, saying:

“The Government’s cuts will cost lives. Too many workers are still suffering because of workplace injuries, yet the Government is adding to the risks by piling pressure on staff and enforcement agencies. Last year the Labour Government officially recognised Workers Memorial Day, this year the Government is cutting away at health and safety.

Staff deserve to know that they will not be at risk when they start a hard day’s work. They should not have to fear for their lives while providing vital public services.

Around 70 per cent of workplace accidents are due to the poor health and safety management. The Government must stop this figure spiraling, as we know that there is an alternative.”

Source: CWU / UNISON


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