The T&G trade union is using International Workers Memorial Day as an opportunity to make fresh calls for a corporate killing law.
According to union figures, 235 workers died at work last year – a 4% increase on 2003.
Events organised by the union include vigils, observing silences, marches, wreath-laying and speeches by union officers and civic dignitaries.
Tony Woodley, T&G general secretary said it was absolutely right that the union fight for the living at the memorials.
“It is also right that we stress our determination to see new laws on corporate killing and directors’ duties brought in early by a third-term Labour government,” he said.
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The government promised in 1997 to bring in a corporate killing law, but the most recent attempt – a private member’s bill – failed after too few MPs voted for it.
Stephen Hepburn’s Health and Safety (Directors Duties) Bill would have put a general duty on all company directors and large companies to appoint a director at board level to be responsible for health and safety.
