CTU MEDIA RELEASE 28 April 2007

Mourn The Dead, Fight For The Living

"The best way to honour those who have died at work is to recommit to fighting for better safety and health standards on the job for all workers," CTU president Ross Wilson said today on Workers Memorial Day.

Unions globally have marked Workers Memorial Day since 1989 to remember those who have been killed or injured at work, and to campaign for the health and safety of the living.

"Health and safety is a core union issue. Workers expect their unions to be working to improve their conditions of employment, and nothing is more fundamental than organising to protect their lives, limbs and good health."

Internationally, a theme this year for Workers Memorial Day in 2007 is addressing the causes of occupational and environmental cancers at the workplace.

Despite our small population, research shows that between 700 -1,000 people die each year from occupational disease, particularly cancer, respiratory disease and heart disease, Ross Wilson said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media