April 28, 2006

The maiming and killing of workers has to stop!

April 28Ih is the day in which millions around the world will take time to remember those killed or injured at work. They are victims of unsafe workplaces; an ever increasing part of our world. They are workers from every type of workplace.

They are victims of the corporate scheme that places greed above everything - including human life and suffering.

• Each year tens of thousands of workers are killed at work.
  
• Each year tens of thousands of workers are permanently disabled.
  
• Each year millions of workers are injured or become ill due to their working conditions.
  

The suffering and loss of these workers is unnecessary and has an irreversible effect.

We cannot allow their memory or suffering to be forgotten.

We have to remember the unnecessary price they have paid.

We as workers, require effective legislation. Legislation that governments will actually enforce to ensure that employers who ignore safety violations, rolling the dice with workers' lives, are held accountable for the carnage that they are creating.

We must continue in our struggle to seek stronger health and safety protection, better enforcement and standards, as well as fair and just compensation in every workplace.

We must send a clear message to government representatives and employers that we are infuriated with being used as an expendable commodity.

Every worker has the right to a healthy and safe work environment.

Please participate in observing a minute of silence in your workplace on April 28Ih to remember the victims of workplace injuries, death and disease, our Sisters and Brothers.

An injury to one is an injury to all.