Algerian Trade Unions Join Tri-Partite Events The Union Générale des Travailleurs Agériens (UGTA) will be involved tomorrow 28 April in a series of events hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Social Security to commemorate "Safe and Healthy Workplaces: Making Decent Work a Reality."

About 150 participants will be involved in the day, which will be organized with the ‘National Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Risks’ and also involve employers, medical practitioners, public & occupational health specialists, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Environment, Finance, Health and Labour. Representatives from the country's inspections services, the ILO and media are also scheduled to attend.

A tour will take place at the Port D’Oran or a selected enterprise and a special exhibit for the day has been prepared.

Presentations throughout the day will deal with standards and regulations, inspections, occupational risks, Decent Work, and other themes. The day will hear speakers from all sectors, including trade unions

More than 750 Algerian workers died from some 50.000 workplace accidents in 2006 (conservative estimate), costing 10 million dinars (108 millions Euros), plus 1.500.000 lost work days.

Source: ITUC

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Andean Community Formally Adopts 28 April

On this 28 April a decision taken in 2005 by the Andean Community of nations will come into force, henceforth making 28 April a “Andean Day for Health and Safety at Work” that will apply to its four member countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and to their associate member, Venezuela. The decision will eventually bring to nineteen the total number of countries in the world, officially recognising 28 April. The representatives of the Andean Community are chosen by the National Congresses of the respective countries.

The adoption of 28 April was taken in 2005 at a health and safety seminar in Lima Peru (where 28 April was already recognized) coordinated by the ‘Instituto Laboral Andino’ (ILA) and the ‘Comite Sindical Andino de Salud Laboral y Medio Ambiente’ (CCLA), which brought the various Parties together from the five countries. The Decision No. 584 suggested that the Parties consider AIDS prevention and banning asbestos as a focus of attention and these possible themes have yet to be discussed by the Parties for implementation.

The ILA and CCLA have also been involved in coordination of activities in the five countries, plus Venezuela for this 28 April:

In Bolivia an official commemoration ceremony involving the Labour Ministry and other related OHS Ministries. Information on health and safety standards will be produced for massive distribution, along with a flag, stickers, and special plaques. Visual flyers will be produced for distribution at sports events and activities will be organized at an exhibition of industrial equipment. Radio and television publicity information will be broadcast and an OHS course will organized by trade unions and employer organizations. A Web page will further distribute information.

In Colombia the ‘Dirección General de Riesgos Profesionales del Ministerio de la Protección Social de Colombia’ will organise a videoconference with trade unions, joining 32 territories. As a follow up between next July and December, it will organize a public information programme about the Decision 584 and a proposal to reach over 9000 workers through occupational health and safety seminars, organized in 32 Departments.

In Ecuador The Labour Minister will host a 28 April commemoration ceremony and will provide technical support to worker and employer organizations for activities that will take place in workplaces during the Andean week.

In Peru an exhibition of health and safety equipment will be organized, bringing together equipment suppliers and emergency services personnel. A national seminar will be organized on occupational health & safety and planning will take place to prepare for follow up to the 2005 ‘Seminario Regional Andino de Salud Laboral y Medio Ambiente’ that was responsible for Decision 584 . Street banners announcing the day will be erected in the capital and a wide-range of materials will be produced for massive distribution through government Ministries, media outlets, workplace health and safety committees, transportation outlets and other locations. There are additional plans to organize workplace inspection activities throughout 2007.

In Venezuela a special committee has organized two commemoration events. The first will bring together representatives from five trade union centres to discuss priorities for prevention and OHS services. The second next 16 May will take place at a seminar for 100 selected workers to discuss OHS issues.

Contact Carlos Ortiz Cornejo

Source: ITUC

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Argentina Plans High Profile OHS Week for ICD

Upward of 2000 people will attend a four-day health and safety conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which will be part of a whole week of ICD activities in that country and will culminate in a commemoration ceremony on 27 April. The event is the fourth of a growing series of activities since 2003 when Argentina made 28 April a national observance day.

The conference is hosted by the Ministry of Employment & Social Security in Argentina, under the auspices of the ILO, ISSA and WHO and is organised by the national agency responsible for work related risks, the ‘Superintendenica de Riesgos Del Trabajo’ (SRT). Anyone can attend at no cost.

Representatives of trade union and worker organizations, along with government and occupational health professionals will be involved in a detailed programme that aims to improve occupational health and safety. More information

Overall, national trade union bodies are involved as are other unions from the gas, electrical, media, laundry, garment and environmental sectors. Unions, professionals and government representatives from Brazil, Chile, Italy, Peru, Spain Uruguay, Venezuela, U.K., U.S., as well as Central America and Europe will be participating, making this conference important from a continental and international point of view.

A heavy emphasis at the conference will be to integrate training and education of workers within a Decent Work progamme and within industrial relations and collective bargaining. Workplace inspections and health services will be key components. The conference is planed as a major contribution to the implementation of occupational health and safety within the country and in all of Latin America.

A web page will tracks and report on the activities of this conference as it unfolds (to be provided later at www.srt.gov.ar)

Contact: Comunicaciones@srt.gov.ar

Source: ITUC / SRT

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AMWU Workers Memorial Day is the day workers around the globe remember the lives of workers who have been killed or injured on the job

This Saturday activities across Australia will be remembering over 2 million people dead and 400 million injured throughout the world last year.

“Most do not die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because their employer decided that their safety just was not that important a priority. It’s a staggering and shameful amount of deaths: said Doug Cameron AMWU National Secretary.

“It’s worth remembering that more people have been killed at work than at war.”

In Australia, while annually around 330 workplace fatalities are officially recorded, the number of work related deaths is actually much higher when work-related diseases are included. The International Labour Organisation estimates 7,200 Australians die as a result of their work every year. The ILO also estimates that for every fatal accident there are 1,200 injuries requiring 3 or more days off work and 7,000 near misses.

Cancer, OHS Enforcement and Asbestos and HIV Campaigns are the key themes for this year’s Workers Memorial Day.

Cancer is now the single biggest cause of work-related deaths globally.

Cancer now claims 600,000 lives every year - or one life every 52 seconds.

Despite what we now know, the risks of cancer from work are still played down by governments, enforcement agencies and employers.

The AMWU is joining a global union campaign being launched on April 28 by our international union affiliate the International Metalworkers’ Federation.

“The ‘zero occupational cancer campaign’ aims to highlight to workers and the public, that people today face a workplace cancer risk higher than at any time in history said Phillip Hazelton AMWU National OHS Coordinator.

“One in five workers face a cancer risk from their work and it is now estimated that up to 16% of all cancers are the result of exposures at work,” he said.

The AMWU will be promoting the campaign through information and action ideas to OHS workplace delegates over the coming months.

Events commemorating Workers Memorial Day include:

Sydney: Darling Harbour – Service 1:00pm Saturday 28 April, 2007 Reflection Park, Little Pier Street (opposite Sydney Entertainment Centre)

Parramatta: Unveiling of an IMD plaque. Friday, 27 April 2007 at 12.30pm in Prince Alfred Park, Church Street, Parramatta.

Melbourne: Commemoration - Memorial Stone outside the Victorian Trades Hall, corner of Victoria and Lygon streets in Carlton Friday 27th April 10.30 am

Gippsland: 11.00 am Friday 27th April, Morwell Rose Garden

Canberra: 10.30 am Friday 27th April The Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Yarramundi Reach, Lady Denman Drive, Acton

Brisbane: Memorial Service Monday 30th April 12.15-1.00 pm St Mary’s Cathederal South Brisbane

Adelaide: Memorial Service Friday 27th April 1.30 pm St Francis Xavier Cathederal 39 Wakefield St

Perth: Memorial Service Friday 27th April 9.30 am Solidarity Park Parliament Place West Perth

Contact Person: Phil Hazelton

Contact Email

Source: Hazards Magazine /

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ACTU The Australia Council of Trade Unions has published information on WMD in Australia.

Included in this information is a history of Workers' Memorial Day. Also it provides facts and figures on the poor enforcement record of Comcare - the federal health and safety and compensation system - since it was opened up to big business.

The pages also supply a listing of Australian WMD events.

ACTU 28 April webpages

Source: Hazards Magazine / ACTU

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VTHC Victoria Trades Hall Council has announced its programme for International Workers' Memorial Day - with activities taking pace on Friday 27th April.

VTHC 28 April webpages

Australian Workplace Agreements an unsafe break for workers

Source: Hazards Magazine / VTHC

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Trade unions light candles across Austria
OeGB: The President of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, Rudolf Hundstorfer, will light a candle and speak to the aims of the International Workers' Memorial Day (IWMD) at a public event the Federation has organised in front of its headquarters on April 27th, the Friday before the the Day. A number of our OEGB members and officials will then follow suit by lighting their own candles.

The OeGB has appealed to its members across the country to hold similar ceremonies in their own workplaces, and some of its affiliates, such as the Construction and Woodworkers Federation, have already indicated that they will organise additional events of their own to mark the Day.

In addition, Dr. Walter Sauer of the International Affairs Department has indicated that the Federation is now ready to take the issue of official recognition for International Commemoration Day to the Government of Austria, and to support the initiative of Global Unions to have the Day recognized by the UN General Assembly.

Contact Dr. Walter Sauer

Source: ITUC

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Azerbaijan: Trade union commemorations and seminars on 28 April The Azerbaiban Trade Union Confederation (AHIK) has announced that it will support the International Trade Union Confederation and all trade unions around the world in its 28 April Workers’ Memorial Day activities. AHIK president S Mekhbalyev said the confederation has honoured workers killed or injured on the job since 2004, when it first established a tradition of commemoration, supported by the country’s Ministry of Labour. “In 2007, as in prior years,” said Mekhbalyev, “our Confederation is making plans to honour labour, and the health of workers on April 28. As part of our plans, we will be holding health & safety seminars in area not before covered.”

Contact: AHIK

Source: ITUC

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OSHE Foundation to target asbestos and decent work for 28 April Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE) is to highlighter workplace asbestos risks as part of its 28 April activities.

On 26 April a meeting involving shipbreaking workers in Chittagong will discuss asbestos risks and the case for a ban as part of a larger OSHE/FNV project on the industry.

A 27 April workshop on ‘Making decent Work a Reality in Bangladesh’ will be followed by a press conference where trade unions will call for a national asbestos ban. Bangladesh imports about 1.5 million kg of asbestos per year.

On 28 April itself, OHSE – a foundation created by Bangladesh’s trade unions in 2003 - will organise a ‘Human chain for a ban of asbestos in Bangladesh’ in front of the National Edd Ghah in Dhaka as the focal point of commemoration activities, subject to permission from the authorities.

Contact: A.R. Chowdhury REPON

Source: OSHE/ITUC

Also see OHSE in Hazards images pages

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Street drama points to Belgian worker fatalities FGTB-CSC: The Belgian trade unions plan a highly visible rally near a main train station in the City of Brussels with 400 white-clad trade unionists who will lie down to symbolically portray the numbers of dead and injured workers in that country over the past year.

Representatives from each organization, the International Trade union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) are planned to speak.

Visual displays will also highlight worker fatalities due to cancer and also the victims from small and medium enterprises. Media coverage is expected to be extensive.

At almost the same time on the morning of 27 April the staff of the International Trade Union Confederation and the European Trade Union Confederation will participate in a candle lighting ceremony at their headquarters in Brussels – the International Trade Union House.

Contact Herman Fonck for CSC and Rafael for FGTB

Source: ITUC

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Candle lighting at high noon in Bermuda for 28 April The Bermuda Industrial Union will call on its members and the public to turn on their car lights during their drive to work in the morning and to light a candle at 12 noon in commemoration for workers killed or injured during the last year.

Contact Graham Nesbitt

Source: ITUC

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Confederación Sindical de Trabajadores de la Construcción de Bolivia En la marcha del día del trabajador constructor (26 de abril), llevaran carteles alusivos a la salud laboral en los planteles.

La ICM Dice ¡ORGANICEN! Sindicatos fuertes, Salven vidas - 28 de abril, ICM. más

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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28 April in Bosnia and Herzogovina Bosnia and Herzegovina unions organise 3 Day Seminar.

The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CITU BiH) has organized a Round Table with BH Authorities, employers and trade unionists on this April 27, 2007 to discuss occupational health and safety in the country.

Togehter with the ILO a three days seminar has been organized on "Health and Security in the Workplace". Thirty representatives from throughout the country will attend the meeting in Sarajevo.

Contact Lejla Causevic

Source: ITUC

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Brazil to Involve Thousands of Workers in International Workers' Memorial Day Activities 28 April celebrations will directly involve more 25 thousand workers throughout Brazil, where hundreds of activities that are planned by trade unions and public institutions, many under the auspices of the Ministry of Labor & Employment, Fundacentro (the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety) or the Ministry of Health. Trade unions, employers, health professonals and government representatives are expected to participate throughout the country.

Events will commence at the legislative Assembly in Sao Paulo with a candle light ceremony, followed by two round table discussions, one on “Economic Growth & the Occupational Health and Safety of Workers” and the other on the role of the “Public Media and the Security of Workers”.

Overall, 28 April will focus on the Brazilian Government’s Program to Accelerate Economic Growth (PAC), which has created a new impetus for production and consumption activity in the country. However, there is a fear that unless this new trend is integrated with social policy, greater intensification of working hours, exposure to risks and the incidence of workplace accidents, disease and fatalities may result.

Between 1999 and 2003 an estimated 1,875,190 occupational injuries were recorded, costing up to 32 billions Reais (US$ 16 billion) in 2002 alone. Brazil adopted 28 April as a national observance day, five years ago.

Contact Nilton Freitas

Source: ITUC

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CIS Center Initiates 28 April Week in Bulgaria

The SafeDay team in the National Center of Public Health Protection in Bulgaria has prepared a comprehensive programme to highlight 28 April under the ILO theme of ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work’. A special Webpage has been dedicated to promotion of the Day.

The National Center of Public Health Protection (Bulgarian National Center CIS) has scheduled a press conference on 23 April to begin the week leading up to 28th April, at which speakers will address a number of topics including the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention 187, and the World Health Organization’s 'Global Plan of Action on Worker's Health’.

Speakers will present the National OSH Profile for Bulgaria, highlighting the priorities of the National OSH Agenda, as well as the involvement of the National Center CIS in the European Semantic Portal on Workplace Safety. Full media coverage and wide stakeholders' involvement are expected for the event. In addition, the CIS has distributed an information package on 28 April, containing data from the ILO Report "Safe and Healthy Workplaces - Making Decent Work Reality (2007)" and the WHO National Cancer Profile, which is also hosted on their website.

The CIS (International Occupational Safety & Health Information Centre) is the knowledge management arm of the ILO’s Programme on Safety and Health at Work and the Environment, whose goal is to ensure that those concerned with worker protection have access to the facts they need to prevent occupational injuries and diseases. It constantly monitors literature on occupational safety and health through contacts with publishers. 140 CIS Centres operate as focal points at the national or regional level, and also work with Collaborating Centres to expand their reach in countries around the world.

Contact Boryana Barbukova

Source: ITUC

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FTBBF, FNTCS and SNTBB Journée de sensibilisation sur les accidents de travail au profit des femmes travaillant dans le secteur de la construction.

L'IBB dit de s'organiser! Syndicats puissants, vies préservées, IBB. plus

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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CLC: National Day of Mourning April 28, 2007

The theme for the 2007 CLC National Day of Mourning is “Safe and Healthy Workplaces for All Workers.” CLC demands that governments enforce existing laws by providing the necessary tools and resources for this to happen. Lives are not saved by governments simply adopting legislation. Lives are saved by governments enforcing legislation.

The CLC first marked the event in 1984 and since then has grown into a worldwide event observed by unions, central labour bodies, labour councils, municipalities and national governments. The Day of Mourning or Workers Memorial Day, as it is called in Europe, is observed in over a hundred countries worldwide. It has been formerly endorsed by the International Trade Union Congress. Several countries are in the process of formally recognising the Day, following Canada's example in 1991.

It has been over 20 years since the CLC first established the National Day of Mourning. Canada still has workplaces where workers are injured and killed on the job at an increasing rate. This tells us that we must do more to save the lives and livelihood of workers in Canada.

On this day we mourn for those who have lost their lives. However, it is increasingly important to continue to fight for the living.

CLC WMD brochure [pdf]

Source: Hazards magazine / CLC

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CTC: Jour de deuil national, le 28 avril 2007

Le Congrès du travail du Canada a établi le Jour de deuil national il y a plus de 20 ans. Malheureusement, le nombre de travailleuses et de travailleurs blessés au travail ou qui meurent de causes liées au travail continue d’augmenter dans certains milieux de travail. Les faits nous disent que devons faire davantage pour protéger la vie et le gagne-pain des travailleuses et des travailleurs canadiens.

Le 28 avril, Jour de deuil national, approche à grands pas. Le Congrès du travail du Canada a souligné cet événement pour la première fois en 1984. Depuis, le Jour de deuil national est observé à l'échelle mondiale par les syndicats, les centrales syndicales, les conseils du travail, les municipalités et les gouvernements nationaux. Le Jour de deuil, appelé Jour à la mémoire des travailleurs en Europe, est en fait observé dans plus de cent pays. La Confédération syndicale internationale (CSI) l’a reconnu officiellement, et plusieurs pays ont entamé des démarches pour emboîter le pas au Canada, qui l’a reconnu officiellement en 1991.

Cette année, le Congrès du travail du Canada a placé le Jour de deuil national sous le thème « La santé et la sécurité pour tous les travailleurs et travailleuses ». Nous devons demander aux gouvernements d’appliquer les lois existantes en mettant en place des mécanismes et des ressources à cette fin. Les gouvernements peuvent sauver des vies en appliquant les lois.

Aujourd’hui, nous pleurons les travailleuses et les travailleurs disparus. Nous soulignons, par la même occasion, qu’il est de plus en plus important de nous battre pour les vivants.

CTC 28 Avril brochure [pdf]

Source Hazards magazine / CLC

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Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety CCOHS calls the National Day of Mourning - April 28th. This is a day to remember workers who have been injured or killed on the job and focus on preventing further illness, injury and death. CCOHS makes a free poster available. The site includes updated Canadian statistics related to worker injury and death. more

Source: CCOHS

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CAW Day of mourning flag contest This year, CAW is creating a CAW Day of Mourning flag to reaffirm solidarity and commitment to workplace health and safety and state to all that CAW mourns the dead and fights for the living.

The CAW Council's health and Safety Committee invites talented sisters and brothers in CAW to design the CAW flag which must encompass the Day of Mourning theme and the union's diversity. [pdf]

Source: CAW

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ORIT Unions in the Americas focus on OHS, cancer, HIV for 28 April The ITUC regional organization for the Americas and the Carribean region, ‘Organización Regional Interamericana de Trabajadores’ (ORIT) is encouraging its affiliates to become involved in 28 April activities. Trade union representatives from the Central American region will meet in Managua, Nicaragua, for a meeting organised by ORIT, along with the ‘Coordinadora Sindical de América Central y el Caribe’ (CSACC) and the ‘Instituto Sindical de América Central y el Caribe’ (ISACC).

Because the Central American region is well known for problems associated with pesticides, skin cancer and other diseases, as well as HIV/AIDS, these will be the focus of attention for the ICD. The Commemoration will take place on 27 April. The day afterwards the delegates will return to their respective countries to join their own national activities on the 28 April. In addition, in São Paulo, Brazil, ORIT is coordinating a subregional event with the ‘Education International’ (EI), as well as a commemoration ceremony with Brazilian trade union affiliates at the ORIT headquarters.

Contact Iván González Alvarado

Source: ITUC

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FENATRABAT/CLTT Journée de sensibilisation sur les accidents de travail et les risques professionnels.

L'IBB dit de s'organiser! Syndicats puissants, vies préservées, IBB. plus

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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Federación de Trabajadores de las Industrias Metalúrgicas, Eléctricas y Mecánicas (FETRAMECOL) Visita a una fábrica, donde se dará charla de salud y seguridad laboral. (27 de abril).

La ICM Dice ¡ORGANICEN! Sindicatos fuertes, Salven vidas - 28 de abril, ICM. más

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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A 28 April Candle Glow For China

The candle that was first lit at the United Nations 12 years ago when Global Unions initiated the 28 April event will glow for the first time within the borders of China. It will draw attention to the plight of workers exposed to cadmium cancer and other occupational health and safety hazards in that country’s booming economy.

The 28 April candle has been lit each year since 1996 in different countries around the world as a symbol of the need to transform work practices that foster illness & disease, and those that kill or injure workers. This year the 28 April candle will be lit at a specific location in China (to be announced) and serve to highlight the plight of cadmium and other workers who remain at risk in China.

Three weeks ago, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) launched a global campaign with the NGO “Globalization Monitor – GM” targeting three Chinese subsidiaries of Gold Peak Batteries International Limited in connection with the poisoning of workers by cadmium. The company at the centre of attention is 53.4 per cent owned by Gold Peak (Holdings) of Hong Kong [6]. For information about the company

Human lungs, kidneys and bone tissue are particularly vulnerable to long term exposures to cadmium, which is a known carcinogen for humans. This Gold Peak case is replete with reports of exposure abuses, deficient monitoring and suspicious risk analysis by company and local authorities, complicated by worker fatalities, sickness, unresolved disputes, strikes, court actions and non-reinstatement of workers to their jobs. Workers have also been denied full and fair compensation.

Gold Peak Industries produces and markets batteries, electronic components, cables, acoustical and light-fitting materials. In addition to its operations in China and Hong Kong, the company has a manufacturing network that extends to Singapore and Malaysia and a marketing network that reaches Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Philippines, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, The Netherlands, Taiwan and the U.K.

Cadmium-related issues with this group of companies have received wide publicity. Fatalities have been reported, as have sixteen cases of confirmed cadmium poisonings and 400 more with excessive exposure. An additional 600, mostly young female workers have been denied annual medical check ups and continue to be at risk.

These poisonings are taking place in China, where the sheer volume of worker deaths, injury or illness defy the imagination. Ten workplace accident fatalities per 100,000 Chinese workers (compared to one fatality per 100 thousand in the U.K.) underline the need for international pressure. Over 80,000 workers die of asbestos exposure alone, every year. Last January, China ratified ILO Convention 155 for occupational health and safety, raising hopes that OHS may be getting on track. Yet most other ILO OHS-related Instruments remain ignored, as does the recognition of worker or trade union rights connected to Freedom of Association.

Three weeks ago, the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) brought the Gold Peak case to member states of the OECD Environment Policy Committee (EPOC) as a first step toward approaching member States of other U.N. bodies, as well as large buyers of Gold Peak products, such as Sony, Nikon, Panasonic, Canon and Toshiba that sell the company’s camera batteries.

ITUC and GM have issued a call to the international community to recommend possible courses of action to remedy the crisis and for information about the operations of Gold Peak and its three Chinese subsidiaries - Huizhou Power Pack Company Limited , Huizhou Advance Battery Technology Company and Shenzhen Jetpower Batteries Limited. They have also requested information about the release by these companies of such carcinogenic agents as cadmium, as well as analysis of their likely impacts.

Source: ITUC

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Germany embassy to be visited to highlight need for HIV/AIDS action Project workers of the ‘Union National Des Travailleurs’ (UNTC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo will be delivering a letter to the German Embassy in Kinshasa in which they ask the Government of Germany, host of this year’s G8 Summit in June, to support the creation of a high-level working group on HIV-AIDS. In a Campaign circular sent out in late February, Alan Leather, Chair of the Global Unions Campaign has asked union and other organizations to hand deliver a letter to the German Embassy situated in their country by 28 April, the International Commemoration Day (ICD) for Dead and Injured Workers.

Contact: Modeste Ndongala

Source: ITUC

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Trade Unions in Colombia Join 28 April Seminar
ENS / INSISTA / CUT: The “Escuela Nacional Sindical”, ‘Intersindical De Salud Y Trabajo de Antioquía” (INSISTA) and the “Central Unitaria De Trabajadores - Subdirectiva Antioquia (CUT -Antioquia) are planning various activities for this 28 April, one of which will be a national seminar on 30 April on workplace risks, titled “Work Related Accidents and Decent Work". The seminar will take place at Antioquía University.

The Seminar will involve more 200 union representatives from different regions of the country. It will review the extent of worker fatalities and injuries in the country and consider what steps to take to promote vigilance and prevention.

The 40 miners that died in an explosion last February in the Sardinata region is but a reflection of a widespread problem in Colombia. According to the Social Protection Ministry nearly 870 workers die every year (three per day) from over 590 thousand workplace accidents every year, which translates into over 1 injured worker per minute.

Colombia has ratified ILO Conventions 162 on asbestos (it currently both imports and exports asbestos) and 170 on chemicals as work. It has not however yet rarified ILO Convention 155 on occupational safety or other OHS Instruments.

In addition to the Seminar a special article, “Karoshi: To Die Working”, will provide an analysis of workers who died in 2006.

Contact Carmen Pico M.

Source: ITUC

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28 Avril Conférence débat et action dans les entreprises sur les accidents et risques professionnels au profit des travailleurs des trois syndicats affiliés à l'IBB/BWI (DIGNITE, FNST TP BACI and SNTIMGB/CI).

L'IBB dit de s'organiser! Syndicats puissants, vies préservées, IBB. plus

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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Czech Trade Unions Focus on Cancer for 28 April

CMKOS, the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, 28 April, is to highlight occupational cancer risks on 28 April. Speaking for the Confederation, Miroslav Kosina of the Health and Safety Centre, said that CMKOS would organise a candle-lighting ceremony and a seminar focusing on occupational cancer prevention. The seminar will take place in CMKOS headquarters on 28 April, and will be attended by health and safety experts from the Health and Safety Centre, from CMKOS affiliated unions, as well as from the regions. Representatives of Ministries of Labour and Social Affairs and other institutions involved are also being invited to participate.

Contact Miroslav Kosina

Occupational cancer information resource

Source: ITUC

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Unions want 28 April officially recognised The Union of Autonomous Trade Unions [UATUC] of Croatia is sending a letter to the Government of the Republic of Croatia asking it to officially declare 28 April as the Day of Occupational Safety and Health in the Republic of Croatia.

According to UATUC’s Dijana Šobota, the idea to seek the government declaration is part of the UATUC occupational safety and health coordinating group’s work programme. A letter to the Croatian prime minister says: “The Day of Occupational Safety and Health would urge the broader public to become more perceptive of workers’ injuries and illnesses at the workplace and of conditions in which those injuries and accidents occur. According to global surveys on occupational injuries 22-23.000 occupational injuries occur per year. Of 800 workers who are seriously injured, 45 to 50 die at their workplace. The surveys have shown that the costs of occupational injuries amount to 2-4 per cent of gross national income.”

The UATUC will host a ceremony to observe ICD 2007 that will begin with an unveiling of a white marble memorial in its Zagreb headquarters, inscribed in gold with: “International Commemoration For Dead And Injured Workers At the Workplace – 28 April Day for Occupational Safety and Health in the Republic of Croatia, April 2007, UATUC”.

This will be followed by a press conference. Representatives of all six representative trade union confederations in Croatia will participate, along with representatives from the relevant Croatian ministry, the Croatian Institute for the Occupational Health, state inspectorate, the National Council for OSH, as well as Annie Rice, Viktor Kempa and Laurent Vogel from the ILO and ETUI-REHS.

Contact: Dijana Šobota

Source: ITUC

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Unions highlight pesticide hazards The United Federation of Danish Workers (3F) is organising a 28 April event that will centre on hazards faced by union members on farms who use extremely poisonous pesticides. The event will feature speakers from Brazil, as well as the Danish and European parliaments. The meeting will also address Corporate Social Responsibility, including labelling requirements on pesticides and other chemicals produced by the Danish chemical multinational, Cheminova.

Union members dressed in protective clothing will hand out fruit on which pesticides have been used; others without protective clothing will hand out organic fruit and flowers. 3F is Denmark’s largest trade union, organising both skilled and unskilled workers in several sectors including industry, building and construction, transport, cleaning, gardening, agriculture and forestry.

Contact Jesper Lund-Larsen 3F website

Source: ITUC

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Torches will burn in Denmark on 28 April 2007

LO/FTF: The Danish Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), the Confederation of Salaried Employees and Civil Servants in Denmark (FTF) have combined to organize a variety of activities across their country on April 28 International Commemoration Day (ICD).

Instead of lighting the customary candles, however, the two Confederations are asking trade unions to mount torches outside their offices to honour the memory of those workers, Danish and foreign, who are killed every year as a consequence of poor health & safety standards. In addition, they will work with their local unions to observe the Day through other activities across the country, including conferences, meetings and street activities that will focus attention on health and safety at work.

This year, the trade union movement will be emphasizing the principle that a safe and healthy working environment is of vital importance to welfare in Denmark. As such, it has dedicated 28 April 28 2007 to special activities under the motto; "Safe and healthy work for all – Welfare centred on health & safety".

At the same time, it will ask the people of Denmark to focus on global development, as workers’ rights have come under pressure in many parts of the world, which require workers’ solidarity across borders. In particular, the LO and FTF will be promoting the following themes on 28 April:

* Psycho-social and ergonomic hazards at work
* The high rate of industrial accidents among young workers
* Cancer caused by asbestos at the work­place.
* Immigrants’ health & safety at work
* Health & safety standards and enforcement
* Global health & safety at work and Danish development aid

To support of 28 April activities by local trade unions, the two organizations are providing support and resources that include: 28 April posters and logo; wide distribution of posters, flyers and other informative materials; and arrangements for foreign guests from health and safety projects partly funded by the LO/FTF Council to participate in the activities on the Day. Local organisers are invited to find information on materials on the Internet at: www@lo.dk and www@ftf.dk/28april

As well, the two organisations plan to connect the theme of Safe and Healthy Work to May 1st activities sponsored by the Danish trade union movement for which they will issue a press releases and documentation on the negative consequences of a poor working environment.

Further information

Contact (LO) Poul Schoening
Contact [FTF] Signe Kofoed

Source: ITUC / Hazards magazine

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Federación Nacional de Trabajadores de la Industria de la Construcción, Madera y Materiales de Construcción (FENTICOMMC)
• Concentración en la región este de 8 sindicatos (San Pedro de Macorís).
• Afiches, banners y mantas alusivas al 28 de abril.
• Cuña radial para promover la actividad

La ICM Dice ¡ORGANICEN! Sindicatos fuertes, Salven vidas - 28 de abril, ICM. más

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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Sindicato de Obreros de la Industria de la Construcción, Similares y Conexos de El Salvador (SIOCSCES)
• Seminario taller de capacitación en salud laboral
• Afiches, camisetas y banners
• Publicación en Diario Colatino

La ICM Dice ¡ORGANICEN! Sindicatos fuertes, Salven vidas - 28 de abril, ICM. más

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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28 April in Fiji Building Construction and Timber Workers Union (BCTWU) is organising a campaign meeting on employer accountability on occupational safety and health to mark International Workers' Memorial Day.

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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Trade unions in French Polynesia demonstrate for health and safety of public sector workers

ATIM: A TUA I MU, the Trade Union Confederation of French Polynesia is planning a major demonstration in front of its country’s Ministry of Public Administration on 27 April, aimed at delivering a message while officials are in the building. They will ask the Government of French Polynesia to pass legislation to protect the health and safety of public sector workers, many of whom belong to affiliated trade unions.

According to General Treasurer Yves Laugrost, the country currently has in place legislation to provide substantial protection to private sector workers. Public sector workers lack any such protection, however, in spite of the fact that the A TUA I MU has been lobbying for five years to have such a law passed. It will now utilize the occasion of 28 April 28th to demonstrate on behalf of these demands.

Trade union Country-by-Country Profiles indicate that the Government of French Polynesia has yet to ratify any of the ILO Conventions in the area of occupational health and safety or of the core labour standards.

Contact Yves LAUGROST

Source: ITUC

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Greek trade unionists observe IWMD with OHS weeting

The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) will join trade unions around the world in commemorating 28 April International Workers' Memorial Day by organising an event this Friday 27 April.

GSEE President, Giannis Panagopoulos, will be the main speaker at a meeting that is scheduled at the Greek Refinery Headquarters at Aspropyrgos, Attica. Representatives from all sectoral federations of the GSEE are expected to be in attendance to discuss working conditions and to learn more about the meaning of 28 April.

Last year Greece became the 14th country to officially adopt 28 April. The Trade Union Country Profiles show that, while the Government of Greece has ratified all of the ILO Conventions that make up the Core Labour Standards, it has still to adopt Convention 155, Occupational Safety & Health, as well as a number of other key Conventions in this area.

Contact: Christina Theochari

Source: ITUC

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Sindicato Nacional de la Construcción y Servicios de Guatemala (SINCS-G)
• Taller en Chimaltenango: “Salud Ocupacional un compromiso tripartito. (20-21 de abril).
• Taller en Quezaltenango: “Promoción del Día Nacional de la Salud Laboral. (26-28 de abril).

La ICM Dice ¡ORGANICEN! Sindicatos fuertes, Salven vidas - 28 de abril, ICM. más

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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28 Avril Journée de souvenir pour les travailleurs morts dans l'exercice de leur métier.

L'IBB dit de s'organiser! Syndicats puissants, vies préservées, IBB. plus

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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Hungarian Trade Unions Organise 28 April Conference MSZOSZ: The National Confederation of Hungarian Trade Unions is planning to mark 28 April Workers' Memorial Day by organizing a major awareness raising conference under the title ”Safe and Healthy Workplaces for All”.

In addition to commemoration activities, the conference will focus on ways and means that trade unions can act to improve the Occupational Health & Safety system in Hungary by working in cooperation with the government and employers.

It is anticipated that the conference will be attended by 150 participants, and will be well publicised through the Hungarian media.

According to the latest Trade Union Country-by-Country Profiles for Occupational Health & Safety, the estimated rate of workplace accident fatalities in Hungary is 10/10,000 workers, with10 worker deaths every year are officially attributed to asbestos exposure, which is the object of a trade union campaign and one of the three themes for 28 April 2007. Hungary has ratified all six Conventions composing the ILO’s Core Labour Standards, as well as Convention 155 Occupational Health & Safety, and a number of other related instruments.

Contact Károly György

Source: ITUC

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Hungarian unions organise memorial and focus on workplace stress MOSZ: On 28 April 2007, as in past years, the National Federation of Workers' Councils in Hungary (MOSZ) will commemorate workers killed or injured at the workplace by placing wreathes in a memorial in Pécs, the third biggest city in Hungary. This will be followed by a Commemoration meeting with guests invited from all sectors of Hungarian society.

28 April activities will also include a conference in Budapest dedicated to the theme of workplace stress, reflecting negotiations that are currently taking place on the subject between employers and employees in the National Interest Reconciliation Council. These negotiations are guided by the Hungarian legal system, which requires adaptation and implementation within a framework agreement between the social partners in the context of the European Union.

According to field studies, more than 50 per cent of Hungarian employees work in highly stressful environments and trade unionists are concerned that human resource strategies for dealing with workers have become extremely uncaring and callous. This trend must be reversed, and the 28 April conference and negotiations are aimed at changing the situation.

Contact mosz@munkastanacsok.hu

Source: ITUC

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IHLO activities for 28 April The Hong Kong Liaison Office of the international trade union movement reports on Hong Kong 28 April activities.

The excellent an regulalry updated IHLO website features background information, events listsings and a statement on 28 April calling for a comprehensive set of demands to make work more safe and healthy.

Statement • Background • Events • A call for support

Further updated information from IHLO

Contact Levina Sung, IHLO

Source:IHLO / Hazards magazine

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Hong Kong Exhibition & Rallies Mark 28 April

The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions is working closely with the Hong Kong Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims (ARIAV) to organise a full day events for 28 April International Workers' Memorial Day in collaboration with Justice and Peace, the Hong Kong Liaison Office and the Asia Monitor Resource Centre (AMRC).

A morning rally organised by ARIAV will focus on victims of industrial accident victims and will involve their families and widows. Every year some 60,000 occupational accidents occur in Hong Kong with more than 200 deaths from occupational illness or accidents.

Another rally in the afternoon will feature speeches and presentations, and will be followed by a march to the major distributing outlets of batteries produced in China for Gold Peak (Holdings) of Hong Kong, and are associated to the poisoning of workers there by cadmium. [pdf].

The events will also highlight the return of three Chinese ex- gem workers, now disabled with silicosis, after their recent tour to the internationally renowned jewellery BASELWORLD exhibition in Switzerland followed by meetings with the ILO and WHO in Geneva. The delegation raised concerns about how gems from Chinese factories are the cause of silicosis in thousands of workers. [pdf]

Throughout 28 April, an Art Exhibition will feature exhibits completed by the children of dead workers.

Further updated information from IHLO

Contact Levina Sung, IHLO

Contact Dominique Muller

Source: ITUC / IHLO / Hazards magazine

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Women’s Ceremony for Children of Worker Victims in India The society for working life (SWL) has organised a meeting of women in New Delhi, India on 28 April to host a special candle ceremony with children of worker victims ’. Another commemoration ceremony was also organised in the Madhubani District of Bihar (the State near Nepal border) with local trade unions. The SWL is involved in the ‘Women, Work & Health Initiative’ and works with NGO’s in Bihar to build awareness about HIV/AIDS among families of migrant workers.

Contact Sunita Kaistha

Source: ITUC

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Indian National Rural Labour Federation INRLF is planning a week long series of activities for International Workers' Memorial Day.

Week-long activities include:

• Asbestos
• Workers Safety
• Implementation of Safety Rules at Worksites
• Union district committees to conduct meetings in labour populated areas to raise awareness on above-mentioned issues.
• Leaflets on Asbestos awareness, banners on Work Safety and Poster asking governments to implement Safety at Work.
• During the week – Union is arranging to have a seminar on Cancer and Asbestos inviting Doctors, Goverment Agencies and General Public at Chennai.
• Submission of memorandum to State Government on Asbestos ban with approximately 100,000 Signatures. We have sent letters requesting for appointments with State Chief Minister, State Minister heading Labour, Health, Industries and Local Administration.

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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Tamil Nadu Construction and Unorganized Workers Federation (TCWF)

To highlight the occuaptional health and safety issues the Federation has invited the State Labour Minister for their inaugural meeting on 28/29 April 2007.

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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ERCCMU Eastern Railway Construction and Contractor Mazdoor Union is organising a set of 28 April activities.

A public meeting to raise awareness raising on health and safety at construction sites / promote preventive measures will be held. An interactive session with the press / media will be held in the evening. The Ban Asbestos Campaign is sending a letter to Governor and Mayor.

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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KKNTC Kerala Kettida Nirmana Thozhilali Congress is organising a march to mark International Workers' Memorial Day.

The large workers procession from all Districts of Kerala will converge at Cochin - KKNTC members will be carrying banners, placards, candles etc. The highlight of the campaign will be participation of accident victims.

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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BWI Regional caucus on asbestos The caucus of UECI, ALU, INRLF, F-KUI aims to follow up on the 2006 ILO resolution on asbestos. It will also examine how best to engage the national offices of the World Health Organisation along this line. This caucus will also discuss necessary preparations for the scheduled Regional Conference on Asbestos in Indonesia in September 2007.

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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28 April activities K FUI is organising a conference workshop on Public Contracts and Ban on Asbestos. The conference will re-iterate its call on the Ministry of Public Works to prohibit the use of asbestos materials on all government-funded infrastructure projects as well as the ban of asbestos in Indonesia.

Source: Hazards magazine / BWI

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ICEM's 28 April Priority: Lobby G8 Summit for Creation of High-Level Working Group on HIV/AIDS

For Workers’ Memorial Day 2007, the ICEM has adopted a campaign encouraging affiliates to sign on to the global trade union lobby for a high-level G8 Working Group on HIV/AIDS as a major part of its comprehensive programme to combat the global pandemic.

The ICEM has urged its affiliates to send letters to the German embassy, or a German consulate in their home countries, requesting creation of such a high-level commission. Germany is host to the G8 Summit this year.

The ICEM strongly believes that such a Working Group is needed to guarantee there is progress on prior G8 commitments to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS drugs, treatments, and care by 2010, and to escalate development of a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. ICEM believes that a more sustained political commitment and commitment of resources by the world's richest nations must occur to reverse this deadly pandemic plaguing workers in the developing world.

The letter for creation of such a high-level Working Group states: "The UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, signed by the G8 and other countries, promised a dedicated focus on HIV/AIDS. In so doing, countries agreed to time-bound commitments for ensuing progress to address the most serious global health threat known to our civilization.

"We therefore call upon the government of Germany, as the host of the next G8, to support our call for the fulfilment of these and other G8 commitments on HIV/AIDS. We are not suggesting that a new bureaucracy by created, but that a Working Group of experts of the G8 be set-up and that it be supported by the technical support of existing bodies such as UNAIDS and its co-sponsors."

The ICEM has launched several HIV/AIDS projects in recent years to address the negative work aspects of the pandemic. ICEM also sponsors projects to provide training for national coordinators in Africa so they can educate workers on HIV/AIDS and the necessity of testing. Such projects will in the future be extended to Latin America and Asia.

ICEM in brief

Source: Hazards magazine / ICEM

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ICEM Demonstrations set to get government to halt asbestos mining and exports

Canada, as one of the biggest suppliers of asbestos, will be the target of protests on 28 April at the country's embassy in Washington, D.C., and at the Canadian High Commission in London. Organised by the London-based International Ban Asbestos Secretariat, the protest calls on the Canadian government to live up to its progressive global reputation by banning the mining and export of asbestos.

Canadian labour groups and activists are also using 28 April as a day to call on the government to halt asbestos production and export. They will issue a separate document on the issue.

Estimates are that one national asbestos-related death occurs for each 170 tonnes produced. In 126 years of asbestos mining, dating back to 1880, Canada has produced in excess of 65 million tonnes of asbestos.

The theme for this year's 28 April National Day of Mourning, as proclaimed by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), is "Safe and Healthy Workplaces for All Workers." The CLC calls on trade union bodies to demand that governments enforce existing laws by providing the necessary tools and resources. "Lives are not saved by governments simply adopting legislation," states the CLC. "Lives are saved by governments enforcing legislation."

Source: Hazards magazine / ICEM

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ITGLWF ITGLWF affiliates who attended the Occupational Health and Safety workshop held in Johannesburg South Africa on 16- 18 April 2007,for a three days to plan, asses and evaluate the situation on Occupational Health and Safety conditions in Textile and Garment Sectors in the Southern Region of Africa. have published a statement produced in full below:

"Having noted that productivity and efficiency are essential for Economic Growth in our Countries and Companies and that to achieve this, Occupational Health and Safety is of paramount importance at all levels.

"Join the rest of the world in commemorating the Health Safety Day on the 28 April 2007, against the bag drop of ever escalating accidents and occupational diseases, statistics which World wide still stand at around 270million.

"Further more we would like to maintain that;
• A health worker is a productive worker.
• A Safe working Environment protects workers and is less costly.
• Employers should work towards eliminating and controlling Hazards at source.
• Promote periodic medical checkups.
• Respect workers Occupational Health and Safety rights.
• Involve workers in all issues pertaining to Occupational Health and Safety and their conditions of work.
• Companies must take full responsibility on all Occupational Health and Safety expenses and development of a safe working place.
• Employers should recognise the existence of OHS committees, shop stewards and the trade Union in their workplaces.

"We call upon all count