International Day Of Mourning Highlights Workplace Deaths
“The year 2002 will be recalled as the year New Zealanders said our disgraceful record of workplace deaths must end,”
said Ross Wilson, president of the Council of Trade Unions today.
Today is International Workers Memorial Day, and unions in New Zealand and around the world marked the day with
ceremonies and workers’ memorials.
Union members joined Waitakere City Council and the family of worker Michael Aherne this morning to establish a memorial
at the site where Michael was killed at work.
Michael Aherne was killed by a gas explosion while drilling underground at Corban Reserve.
“ Too of our many workers like Michael Aherne are killed at work,” said Ross Wilson.
“We urgently need stronger health and safety law to address our shocking toll of workplace deaths.’
Ross Wilson said OSH had investigated the deaths of 57 workers over the past nine months, compared to 39 deaths in the
previous 12 months.
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