MEDIA RELEASE
2 August 2002
Are unsafe workplaces OK with ACT?

“The Act Party has wasted no time since the election in trivialising the tragic issue of workplace deaths,” said Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson today.

“Is the Act Party prepared to tell the families and workmates of workers killed on the job that their workplaces are safe?” he said.

Before the elections the CTU called on all political parties to clearly state their policies and strategies to reduce our appalling workplace death toll.

"Today we have seen a renewed attack on the proposed new osh legislation by an employer spokesperson and ACT,” said Ross Wilson.

"The message they are sending is that safety laws are unfair on employers, and that New Zealand workplaces are safe enough.

"That message gives licence to poor employers to do nothing about health and safety protection for workers." Ross Wilson said political, business and union leaders should send a consistent message that urgent action must be taken by employers and employees to clean up unsafe workplaces.

"That message must be backed up by strong laws," he said. Ross Wilson said that MPs had walked away from Parliament without passing the Health & Safety in Employment Amendment Bill which toughens up the HSE Act.

"Now the elections are over the CTU challenges all the parties in parliament to spell out their policies and strategies to address the workplace fatality crisis," he said.

ENDS

Lyndy McIntyre Communications NZ Council of Trade Unions

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