General

Occupational Health and Safety

ACTU calls on Govts to sign OHS charter

A new charter of workplace rights for occupational health and safety and workers' compensation that sets out the minimum health and safety and compensation standards is being launched today by the ACTU.

The ACTU is calling on all state and territory governments along with the Federal Government to adopt these minimum health and safety and compensation standards.

ACTU President, Sharan Burrow will launch the union charter of workplace rights for occupational health and safety and workers' compensation at the ACTU's Annual Health and Safety Seminar.

ACTU President Sharan Burrow said:

"The health and safety of Australian workers is of paramount importance to the ACTU and the union movement and this charter spells out a decent set of minimum standards for workplace rights that can work in all workplaces across Australia

"We are calling on every level of government to end the blame game on this issue and sign up to this charter of workplace rights which clearly outlines the best approach to ensuring Australian workers are as safe as they possibly can be at work.

"Today's seminar is about reclaiming health and safety and workers' compensation for working people, and this charter spells out the minimum standards.

"The charter includes the right of workers to be represented by trade unions on health and safety matters, the right to receive 100 per cent income replacement for an injury, and an absolute duty of care on employers to provide healthy and safe workplaces.

"Workers' rights, entitlements and protections are under threat from the raft of changes to safety and compensation laws introduced by the Howard Government.

"Governments, business and unions agree that there is a need for a nationally consistent approach to health and safety across the country, but the federal government is driving a race to the bottom.

"This charter provides a better, fairer and safer vision for health and safety in Australia and will assist all levels of government to harmonise their health and safety and workers' compensation legislation to the highest standards", said Ms Burrow.

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/general/20070605_rights.html
Last Modified: 05 Jun 2007