The stop work action marks the International Day of Mourning with about 50 Australian construction workers killed annually from workplace accidents or illnesses.The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) has used today’s commemoration to urge employers and workers to focus on safety and reduce the number of lives lost every year in the industry.“More than 50 worker deaths on Australian construction sites each year is, in my view, 50 deaths too many,” CFMEU national secretary David Noonan said.“It is a sobering statistic and a strong reminder that more needs to be done to improve worker health and safety standards across Australia’s construction industry,” he said.As part of the safety push, Noonan said the union was backing the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.“Improving safety on Australian construction sites is a tough job, but it’s made that much harder when millions of dollars in taxpayers’ money are spent on an organisation like the ABCC, which undermines workers’ rights and safety.“Today, we remember those who have been killed and renew our fight for the safety of those still living.”To honour those lives lost, Australian construction unions have produced a one-minute commemoration video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnfJBX2piXY&feature=channel_page
