CTU Media Release
12 July 2013

CTU welcomes moves on new Health and Safety Agency

CTU today welcomes the appointment of Ross Wilson, a tireless advocate for health and safety, to the Establishment Board of the planned new Crown agent, WorkSafe New Zealand.

Helen Kelly, CTU President says “this is positive news for workers of New Zealand. Ross has vast experience in representing workers and is a strong campaigner for health and safety, his input to the Establishment Board will be invaluable.”

“While we are pleased with the inclusion of Ross, it is disappointing that he is the lone voice of workers and we remain concerned that the Bill leaves the future membership of the board entirely in the hands of the Minister. The proposed Bill has no requirement for “employees”, or “workers”, to be included on the Board, let alone unions or central organisation most representative of workers. This is directly at odds with the strong recommendations for tripartite representation that both the Pike River Royal Commission and the Health and Safety Taskforce insisted were necessary.”

Helen Kelly says “we look forward to the Minister announcing full implementation of the recommendations of the Taskforce, and will be submitting to the Select Committee seeking a stronger legislative framework, including guaranteed tripartite representation on the Board in the future.”

ENDS

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