The ongoing threat of COVID-19 on Tasmania's workforce means there has never been a more important time to commit to safer workplaces than today's International Workers' Memorial Day.
Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations, Michelle O'Byrne, said today's IWMD is a time to honour workers who never made it home and fight for safe workplaces in Tasmania.
"Today is a time to reflect and remember workers hurt and killed on the job and recommit ourselves to making work safe," Ms O'Byrne said.
"This year's theme for IWMD is 'stop the pandemic' because it has never been more important to commit to safer workplaces than right now.
"While we often identify mining and manufacturing industries being high risk for workers it's worth noting that a large number of health workers battling the COVID-19 outbreak in North West have contracted the illness at work.
"It is the government's obligation to ensure all protective measures are in place for staff to enable them to continue to service our community, yet we continue to hear from essential workers that they do not have access to adequate supplies of PPE.
"Australia recorded 168 workplace related fatalities last year, and with more than 63 deaths already recorded this year I urge the government to act on increasing workplace safety as a matter of priority. This includes committing to better protections for our essential workers, including the provision of adequate access to PPE supplies.
"We have an opportunity to commit to a better future as we seek to shape our post-pandemic society as one that is fairer for more Tasmanian workers - but the government must act now."
Michelle O'Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Workplace Releations
