Latest news with #InternationalWorkers'MemorialDay
Glasgow Times
04-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
South Lanarkshire marks International Workers' Memorial Day
International Workers' Memorial Day is commemorated each year by trade unions across the world. It remembers those who have lost their lives at work, as well as those who have suffered injury, illness or disease through their employment. A special wreath-laying ceremony was held at South Lanarkshire Council's headquarters on Monday, attended by trade union representatives, Depute Provost Bert Thomson, council officials and councillors. A minute's silence was then observed by those in attendance. This year's theme focused on the impact of artificial intelligence and digitisation on health and safety. READ MORE: Pizza hotspot to open new restaurant in Glasgow's West End Depute Provost Thomson welcomed the commemoration. He said: 'The service today allowed all of us the opportunity to pause and remember those who have sadly lost their lives through work, and let their families and friends know they will never be forgotten. 'Thank you to everyone who works tirelessly to raise awareness of the need for better safety at work. 'This International Workers' Memorial Day, we call on employers around the world to never lose sight of the fact that the human workforce is of paramount importance, no matter how the digital landscape evolves.' Depute Provost Thomson is pictured with Margaret Gallagher, representing Unison, and George Buchanan, representing Unite.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New legislation updates laws for working minors in WA
May 3—DUPONT — Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson recently signed Senate Bill 1644 into law, establishing enhanced safety and health regulations for minors employed in both agricultural and non-agricultural industries. Ferguson signed the bill on International Workers' Memorial Day at the Western Washington Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee's DuPont campus. The legislation, which passed the House with a 60-35 vote and the Senate with a 37-12 vote, aims to address increasing incidents of injuries and violations of child labor laws. Sponsored by Representative Mary Fosse, D-Everett, the bill emerged after the revelation of statistics highlighting a rise in child employment and associated accidents. According to the Department of Labor & Industries, injury claims by minor workers in Washington rose by 60% between 2009 and 2023. During this time, employment for 16-19-year-olds increased by over 30%, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2024, around one-third of Washington's 16-19-year-olds had jobs. "Our laws haven't kept pace with the protections minors clearly deserve," said Fosse during the bill signing. "Outdated laws and a lack of meaningful accountability for violators are putting children at risk of injury and exploitation." SB 1644 introduces stricter penalties for employers who violate child labor laws, with fines ranging from $100 to $71,000, depending on the severity of the violation. It also mandates that the L&I revoke an employer's minor work permit after a serious violation leading to severe injury or death, thereby prohibiting them from hiring minors for a designated period. This revocation, lasting a minimum of 12 months, is intended to deter employers from infringing upon minors' safety and welfare. The bill also requires L&I to conduct safety and health consultations at worksites before granting certain variances that would allow minors to perform jobs typically restricted based on age. With the signing of this bill, Washington joins several other states reevaluating their child labor laws amidst rising concerns about workplace safety. Supporters of the bill argued that it is a necessary step in modernizing outdated child labor laws. "This legislation is about ensuring that our children are not subjected to unsafe working conditions," Fosse said. She expressed gratitude for the collaboration between labor organizations and legislators that made the enactment of the bill possible. However, some lawmakers raised concerns about the potential consequences of the new regulations. Representative Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, who opposed the bill, voiced apprehensions that increased restrictions could lead to fewer job opportunities for young people. "We're making it harder for our young people to work and learn how to work. If we don't allow them to gain this experience, they won't know how to take direction or work under supervision," Dent said. Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, echoed Dent's concerns, stating that the stringent requirements might dampen interest in hiring youth, particularly in rural communities reliant on seasonal agricultural labor. "I grew up on a farm where we hired high school students to help. This legislation makes it more difficult for employers to take on younger workers," Warnick said. "It will leave many young people without job opportunities just as they're starting to explore career paths." The penalties articulated in SB 1644 have also drawn criticism for being excessively harsh. Warnick pointed out that increased fines might discourage smaller construction and agricultural companies from hiring young workers. "This creates a chilling effect on hiring youth, particularly in labor-intensive industries," she said. Nonetheless, Fosse maintains that the legislation strikes a balance between safeguarding minors and allowing responsible employers to provide job opportunities. "And it's not fair to our youth — or to all of the really reputable good businesses in Washington state — that when bad employers repeatedly violate minor worker rights and safety, they are still allowed to employ minors," the Everett Democrat said. This new law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
South Lanarkshire Council marks International Workers' Memorial Day
People who lose their lives through work are not forgotten thanks to a special day which honours their memory and contributions. And in the local community, respects were paid to people who died in the line of duty. International Workers' Memorial Day is commemorated each year by trade unions across the world. It remembers those who have lost their lives at work, as well as those who have suffered injury, illness or disease through their employment. A special wreath-laying ceremony was held at South Lanarkshire Council's headquarters on Monday, attended by trade union representatives, Depute Provost Bert Thomson, council officials and councillors. A minute's silence was then observed by those in attendance. This year's theme is focused on the impact of artificial intelligence and digitisation on health and safety. Depute Provost Thomson welcomed the commemoration. He said: 'The service today allowed all of us the opportunity to pause and remember those who have sadly lost their lives through work, and let their families and friends know they will never be forgotten. 'Thank you to everyone who works tirelessly to raise awareness of the need for better safety at work. 'This International Workers' Memorial Day we call on employers around the world to never lose sight of the fact that the human workforce is of paramount importance, no matter how the digital landscape evolves.' Depute Provost Thomson is pictured with Margaret Gallagher, representing Unison, and George Buchanan, representing Unite. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
Scotsman
28-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Ensuring safety in a changing world of work
On International Workers' Memorial Day, we remember those tragically lost at work and recommit to fighting for the safety of the living. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This year, that fight takes place against the backdrop of a rapidly transforming world of work. From the rise of the gig economy and platform-based jobs to the massive shift towards remote working, the ways we work, and the risks we face, are evolving. Ensuring every worker returns home safe requires us to adapt our approach to health and safety accordingly. The ultimate cost of failing to protect workers remains devastatingly high. In 2023/24, 138 workers lost their lives in work-related incidents, with 18 of those tragedies occurring here in Scotland, according to the HSE. While every workplace has potential hazards, the changing nature of work introduces new complexities and risks, particularly for those in insecure roles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Consider the delivery driver navigating busy streets against the clock for an app, often without guaranteed hours, sick pay, or adequate safety support. Or the care worker operating alone in someone's home, potentially lacking standardised training or backup. Kirsteen Sullivan MP at the International Workers Memorial Day event in Bathgate This precariousness – marked by unstable hours, weak contracts, and isolation – can breed danger. Workers may feel pressured to take risks, work when unwell, or hesitate to report concerns for fear of losing income. This disproportionately impacts groups often concentrated in such roles, including migrants, women, and young people. Furthermore, the increase in home working presents its own safety considerations. How many employers have conducted proper workstation assessments for remote staff? Are we adequately addressing the potential mental health impacts of increased isolation and the blurring of lines between work and home life? Safety isn't just about the traditional workplace anymore; it extends wherever work happens. As the GMB union, which champions workers across the economy including the gig sector, consistently highlights, there's a clear link between precarious work, low union density, and poorer safety outcomes. Their own research reveals the stark reality, with many insecure workers reporting stress and feeling forced to work while unwell. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Upcoming legislation like the Employment Rights Bill provides crucial tools by tackling exploitative practices like unnecessary zero-hours contracts, guaranteeing vital day-one rights such as sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal for all workers, and strengthening enforcement through bodies like the new Fair Work Agency. These measures aim to address many of the underlying drivers of insecurity that compromise safety. Kirsteen Sullivan MP lays a wreath at International Workers Memorial Day event in Bathgate However, addressing these complex challenges requires a concerted effort from everyone. Creating genuinely safe work environments – whether on a construction site, in an office, on the road, or at a kitchen table – demands a wider commitment. Employers must proactively assess and mitigate risks in all settings, fostering cultures where physical and mental wellbeing are prioritised, and ensuring managers are equipped to support their teams. Safety at work should never depend on your contract type or job title. On this Workers' Memorial Day, let's be clear: If work isn't safe, it isn't fair. If you're working, you deserve to be protected—no matter the job title on your payslip. It's time to build an economy where fair work and safe work are truly two sides of the same coin, guaranteeing dignity, security, and safety for everyone.
Belfast Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Climate leave' for NI workers among union's extreme weather proposals
Unite said it has been engaging with Stormont departments to discuss its proposals to protect workers from the impact of extreme weather since the 2018 death of Unite member Matthew Campbell. Mr Campbell (24) died during Storm Ali after being struck by a falling tree in Slieve Gullion Forest Park. The electrical engineer died just months before he was due to get married. He was crushed to death by a falling 200-year-old beech tree, dying instantly in what was described in court as 'a freak accident' which 'could have — and should have — been avoided'. Last April, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was fined £20,000, while Lagan Construction Ltd was handed a £30,000 fine, after admitting 'health and safety failings'. Unite also noted that of the 17 people who have died in the Republic as a result of named storms since 2014, five were killed either while working outdoors or while travelling to or from work. The union carried out a survey for International Workers' Memorial Day today, with 1,225 members from across Northern Ireland responding. It found that 59% of those whose work included outdoor responsibilities still had to perform them on the day of the storm. Of these, only 23% said they felt safe and 66% said they did not consider their employer had taken all reasonable precautions. Of those whose employer did not require them to work on the day of the storm, over half had to take the day as annual leave, unpaid leave, flexitime, sick leave or time-off-in-lieu or holiday. Unite's proposals include an obligation on employers to conduct risk assessments during extreme weather events, cease all routine outdoor work during orange alerts, and cease all non-essential indoor and outdoor work during red alerts, with workers continuing to be paid during such closures. The union is also proposing four days' paid climate leave, along the lines of that introduced in Spain following last year's devastating Valencia floods, if conditions render travel hazardous or workers need to address pressing domestic needs resulting from extreme weather. The union says a maximum working temperature should be set depending on the type of work and the working environment. It wants obligations on employers to attempt to reduce high temperatures. 7 Day Weather Forecast: 28th April - 4th May It called for an action level of 24C where heat management controls or systems must be put in place and an absolute maximum temperature of 30C — or 27C for 'strenuous jobs' — at which work should stop if these cannot be prevented by using engineering controls. Unite's Irish secretary Susan Fitzgerald said: 'Accelerating climate change means that the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events are set to increase. 'Workers must not be made to pay the price — in terms of their safety, health and livelihoods — for a climate crisis not of their making'. A survey of members in the Republic, carried out following Storm Eowyn, found 55% of respondents did not feel safe travelling to and from work during the storm. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'On International Workers' Memorial Day, we are demanding that the government climate-proof health and safety laws to ensure that workers' lives and incomes are protected during extreme weather.'
