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Doolan calls for Government Department to protect lives in the workplace
Published: 28 April, 2006
Sinn Fein's Dublin City Councillor Daithi Doolan has today called for a major mobilisation to mark, "this the annual international day of remembrance for workers killed, injured or in ill-health because of unsafe work practices. Internationally 28th April each year is an opportunity to draw attention to the risks confronted by workers across the world."
Speaking at today's protest outside the Health & Safety Authority Cllr. Doolan said:
"Today's protest has been called by the trade union movement in order to highlight the need for immediate action to tackle death and injury in the Irish workplace. We should all fight for improvements for workers by endorsing campaigns and supporting trade union organisations in demands for accountable, workplace health and safety measures.
A staggering 5,000 workers are killed daily in the work place through accidents or illnesses according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The UN body said the global death toll from work-related incidents and disease was an estimated 2.2 million a year, ten per cent higher than three years ago. Workers are dying each and every day across the world and the ILO claims that at least half the deaths from accidents could be prevented by safe working practices as all accidents are avoidable and preventable
"Sinn Féin is therefore fully committed in supporting this day marked throughout the world by vigils and demonstrations projected to highlight particularly those killed at work and also to fight for the health, safety and welfare of the living. The objective behind Workers' Memorial Day has always been to "remember the dead - fight for the living". We join in the call for a concerted focus on both areas, ensuring that measures are taken immediately to prevent such tragedy. This will be achieved by developing trade union organisations and community action, enhanced by inclusive campaigns for robust enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health & safety laws and unqualified support for a charge of corporate manslaughter."
In conclusion Cllr. Doolan called for, "the immediate establishment of a Department of Labour, headed up by a Minister with particular focus on health and safety in the workplace so as to avoid further tragedy and death in the work place."
Today's protest will take place at 11.30am. The Health & Safety Authority, Hogan Place Dublin 2.
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