The peak body for working people have called on the Morrison Government for urgent action after the deaths of two workers in just 24 hours.
The ACTU condemns the Morrison Government’s persistent inaction over workplace deaths and injuries. This year alone, 103 workers have died at work.
The union movement renews its call for national, uniform industrial manslaughter laws to be enshrined in OHS legislation, including the introduction of serious penalties for employers and companies that cause the death of a worker through gross negligence.
We need a strong commitment from the Morrison Government and all states and territories to prevent all workplace deaths and all forms of workplace injuries, including the increasing levels of mental health injuries.
As stated by ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam O’Brien
“Every worker has the right to go to work and to come home safe, work shouldn’t hurt.
“We need to deal with the causes of work-related deaths and mental and physical injuries. Employers are taking too many risks with workers’ lives every day. We need an effective deterrent – like serious jail time of up to 20 years for those guilty of gross negligence.
“We call for urgent action to prevent workplace deaths and injuries and illness as a result of work. We want all states and territories to implement all 34 recommendations made the Government’s own review of our work health and safety laws – the Boland Review.
“Unions play a crucial role in pushing for work health and safety legislative reform to ensure that all forms of workplace injuries – including the increasing level of mental health injuries – and deaths at work end.
