Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey; tributes to people who have died at work.
New laws to make a difference
NSW Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis acknowledged the women who were killed in Westfield Bondi Junction on 13 April, along with security guard Faraz Tahir, who died trying to stop the attacker.
“Faraz died while working his first shift at Bondi Junction – he gave his life in the defence of others,” Minister Cotsis said. “His actions were courageous and extraordinary. And on this day, when we pay our respects to those who have lost their lives at work, we include Faraz as he was one of us.”
Minister Cotsis also acknowledged the families of those who have lost loved ones at work, and their relentless campaigning for industrial manslaughter laws that the Minns Labor government would introduce into parliament in June. “I want to be clear that we hope we never have to use these laws,” Minister Cotsis said.
“They will be there to send a very strong message about how seriously the government takes workplace safety and to make it known we will uphold the highest standards with regards to work, health and safety.”
Engineered stone to be banned
Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey acknowledged loved ones’ families and friends and noted progress to keep people safe at work, including the banning of engineered stone, which is the cause of fatal lung disease silicosis, from 1 July — another union-led campaign.
“Change, no matter how slow in coming or how small a step, does ensure there are fewer families who will have to join us in coming years,” Morey said. “Manufactured stone is being banned, and that’s because of the work of the families, the unions and the representatives here today.”
Other speakers on the day included Savannah Fynn from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Unions NSW President Lauren Hutchins, and Ann Spinks, who spoke on behalf of the many families who have lost a loved one due to a workplace accident or illness.
