Released 28/04/2021
Today marks International Workers Memorial Day.
Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety Mick Gentleman said the day was an important time to remember those who have died at work, or from workplace related injury and illness
“Every one of these people has a family who love them, friends who mourn them, and colleagues who miss them,” Minister Gentleman said.
“Today we especially remember the thousands of frontline workers who have died due to the global COVID19 pandemic and recognise the significant impact of the pandemic on workers physical and mental wellbeing.
“Every worker has the right to return home safely from work and governments and employers have an important role to play in this.
“The ACT Government is committed to health and safety in the workplace and to ensuring strong workplace protections where obligations are enforced.
“We are establishing industrial manslaughter as an offence under the ACT’s Work Health and Safety Act to ensure families of those killed in the workplace have access to justice. It will include jailtime is a penalty for industrial manslaughter.
“I also recognise the danger of psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Bullying, harassment and sexual harassment are never okay - they are health hazards that must be managed under work health and safety duties and obligations.
“We are developing new regulations and a Code of Practice under the Work Health and Safety Act to recognise the impact of psychosocial hazards on workers in the ACT.
“These important reforms are key recommendations from the Boland Review of Work Health and Safety Laws and I am pleased we’ve made strong progress towards their implementation.”
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases