April 24, 2017
Spate of workplace deaths
A spate of deaths on worksites around the country is alarming the Council of Trade unions.
There have been 10 fatalities so far this year, including seven in the past fortnight – three in forestry, two in farming, two in construction.
Syd Keepa, the CTU's vice president Maori, says the government isn't doing enough to enforce what health and safety laws there are, let alone creating laws to create safer working conditions.
He says the country is reaping the legacy of the Employment Contracts Act from 25 years ago, which led to unions being pushed out of sectors like forestry and employers shifting to a contract workforce.
"They don't abide by whatever the health and safety laws are now. Their whole kaupapa is based around productivity and low pay. They want as much work out of you and pay you bugger all," Mr Keepa says.
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