Health, Safety and Environment

Workers' Memorial Day Early Day Motion

19 July 2006

Michael Clapham MP has submitted an Early Day Motion on Workers’ Memorial Day. The CWU supported group of MPs have been asked to sign it and it presently has around 80 signatures.

Early Day Motion number 2025:

"That this House recognises that Workers’ Memorial Day is an international commemorative event held on 28th April of each year and dedicated to those who have been killed and injured by workplace accidents or diseases; is aware that the International Labour Organisation reports that worldwide one person dies every 15 seconds as a result of an injury at work or a work-induced disease; is mindful that in the UK more than 3,500 workers die each year as a result of exposure to asbestos; and urges the Government officially to recognise this important day."

As part of the Workers' Memorial Day activities Dave Joyce, CWU National Health, Safety and Environment Officer sent a letter to the Prime Minister and to the Health and Safety Minister calling for formal Government recognition of Workers Memorial Day and for:

• A New and effective Corporate Manslaughter Law to be introduced.
• New health and safety legislative duties to be imposed on Directors and senior Managers to improve accountability.
• New rights and protection for trade union safety reps, similar to those given in other countries which have existed for many years.

Replies have been received from both Tony Blair Prime Minister dated 22 May and from Lord Hunt Health and Safety Minister dated 10 May. In short they say the Government has no plans to give formal recognition to Workers Memorial Day but they pay tribute to those workers who have needlessly died or been injured at work or made ill.

They agree that there should be a new Corporate Manslaughter Law and are committed to introducing the new offence in order that organisations can be held more accountable for serious health and safety failings that lead to fatalities at work. They do not support new legislative responsibilities for Directors and Senior Managers but they have asked the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) to re-examine the issue. They do not believe that extending the rights of Safety Representatives would add to the protection that already exists but the HSC is considering some changes to improve the Safety Reps Regulations and a Consultative Document has been issued.