5 November 2012

Time to put worker safety first

The Government must move rapidly to implement all the recommendations of the Royal Commission report into Pike River, West Coast based Green Party MP Kevin Hague said today.

The Royal Commission's report into the Pike River 2010 tragedy was released this afternoon.

“The first thing the Government should do is legislate so that workers are an integral part of the safety process,” said Mr Hague.

“In 1992 the position of check inspector, a worker with the authority to clear a mine they considered dangerous, was disestablished through legislative changes.

“It’s now time to put workers first when it comes to occupational health and safety,” Mr Hague said.

“There also needs to be accountability for the catastrophic and comprehensive failure by the Department of Labour, as the regulator.

“The absorption of the Department of Labour into the newly formed Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment risks further diminishing the regulatory oversight of occupational health and safety risks.

“It is therefore essential that there is a stand-alone crown agency solely focused on health and safety as recommended by the Royal Commission.

“Kate Wilkinson has also made the correct decision in tendering her resignation as Minister responsible for the Department of Labour,” said Mr Hague.

“Pike River was the most serious industrial relations accident in the last fifty years. It happened on her watch.

“It is time for a new Minister untainted by the fallout from Pike River to take over and implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission.”

Link to the Green Party call for Minister Wilkinson to resign in 2011:

http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/8/6/d/49HansQ_20110713_00000006-6-Mine-Safety-Underground-Coalmines.htm

ENDS

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