Doolan-Unscrupulous employers must be held responsible
Published: 30 January, 2007
Today the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will mark the 100th anniversary of
the Belfast Dockers Strike, when Catholic & Protestant workers fought
together for dignity and trade union rights, with a commemoration in
Glasnevin Cemetery at Jim Larkin's graveside.
Speaking this morning ahead of the commemoration Sinn Féin's Cllr. Daithí
Doolan congratulated,"the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for organising
today's event. It is fitting that we gather at the graveside of Jim Larkin,
the father of Irish trade unionism. Much of what we now take for granted in
the workplace is due to people like Larkin and to those workers he led
during the strike in Belfast 100 years ago.
But of course we should never become complacent, workers still face grave
challenges. Basic health and safety in many workplaces is still not being
adhered to. Some building companies are literally getting away with murder.
Workers are killed every year in their workplace through employer negligence
yet the very same employers are exempt from any prosecution."
Cllr. Doolan went on to explain, "Consecutive governments have failed to
introduce legislation that would hold these employers responsible for deaths
on building sites and on factory floors. This is totally unacceptable."
In conclusion Cllr. Doolan demanded Minister Míchael Martin, "Immediately
introduce a Corporate Manslaughter Bill which would hold unscrupulous
employers responsible for deaths they cause in the workplace."
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