There were emotional tributes from the families of killed forestry workers at a gathering in Auckland. Source: One News
Around 50 family members and industry representatives gathered to mark Workers’ Memorial Day, and push the Government for an inquiry into the industry. But the Government says it is doing enough, and some in the sector say an inquiry will not help.
Since 2008, 25 forestry workers have been killed on the job, and nearly 900 seriously injured.
“You make a stuff up, you die. You get seriously injured or you die,” said Chris Laurie a forestry worker.
Debroah Frater’s husband was killed in a forestry accident in 2009 she says the Government needs to get their priorities sorted.
“It needs to be workers and their health and safety before their profits. The unions, labour and the greens, and families all want an inquiry.”
But the Government says that will not happen however, they are vowing to boost health and safety generally.
An independent taskforce on workplace health and safety has been set up in the wake of the Pike River Mine disaster.
