Extracts from Lords debate on Trade Unions - Jul 18
Friday, 19 July 2019 08:52
Lord McKenzie of Luton (Lab):...Great Britain can point to a strong
record on occupational safety—we have heard some of the
statistics—which is in many ways the envy of the world. Workplace
fatalities have fallen by over three-quarters in recent years, but
there is still much to do, which is why we continue to need strong
trade union engagement. The stats are: 147 workers killed at work;
1.4 million people at work last year suffering from a work-related
illness; 2,523 people died...Request free trial
(Lab):...Great
Britain can point to a strong record on occupational safety—we have
heard some of the statistics—which is in many ways the envy of the
world. Workplace fatalities have fallen by over three-quarters in
recent years, but there is still much to do, which is why we
continue to need strong trade union engagement. The stats are: 147
workers killed at work; 1.4 million people at work last year
suffering from a work-related illness; 2,523 people died
from mesothelioma and thousands more from other
occupational cancers; some 70,000 injuries reportable under RIDDOR;
30.7 million days lost due to work-related ill-health; and £15
billion as the estimated cost of injuries and ill-health from
current working conditions—so there is much to do. Of course, these
matters must be measured not only in terms of pounds or euros but
in terms of individual lives blighted and aspirations dashed.
However good things are in comparison, we should hold in our minds
that 147 people who left home for work last year did not return to
their family and friends at the end of their shift...
..Trade unions are not just about ensuring that regulations
are in good order. They are nothing if not campaigning
organisations: campaigning to expose risks of asbestos,
particularly in schools; joining with others to highlight the
continuing risks of carbon monoxide; and seeking to ensure that
proper compensation is available where harm is otherwise going
uncompensated, including effective tracing of employer liability
insurance policies. It took too long but, eventually, with the help
of the noble Lord, , a proper payment scheme for
sufferers of mesothelioma was established...
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