Wednesday, 27 April 2005 – EMBARGOED 5am Thursday, 28 April 2005 International Day of Mourning for those killed at work Every week eight Australian families are informed their loved one has been killed at work, yet this tragedy is often swept under the carpet, according to the widow of a worker killed last October. This is 27-year-old Andreia Viegas’ message to the hundreds of friends, family and colleagues of those killed at work who will gather tomorrow for a remembrance service in Darling Harbour to mark the International Day of Mourning and call for improved workplace safety. Her husband was electrocuted at Westfield Tuggerah on October 24 last year as a result of serious safety breaches, leaving Andreia to raise two young children, six-year-old Corey and 14-month-old Makayla. “Everyone remembers ANZAC Day, and the soldiers who sacrificed their lives, but most people ignore the hundreds of Australian men and women who die each year fighting to put food on the table for their family, men like my husband Glen,” she said. “Every year more than 400 workers are killed destroying their families, and another 2,500 people die from cancer, asbestos diseases or other illnesses they contracted at work, but this figure will grow if the Federal Government carries through on its threat to restrict the right of entry of union officials to inspect safety. “Workers, the community and politicians need to take safety more seriously, and work together to make sure everyone who goes to work in the morning comes home in one piece at night. “I want to thank the thousands of members of the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union who have supported my family, and who are pausing for a minutes silence today on building sites around the country to remember the life of my husband Glen and of all the other workers who have died.” Five million workers in more than 100 countries will take part in the International Day of Morning to remember the two million workers killed and 160 million injured each year around the world. International Day of Mourning remembrance service Thursday 28 APRIL – 12noon Workers Memorial, Little Pier St, DARLING HARBOUR Media contact: Tim Vollmer (CFMEU Media Officer) 0404 273 313 Andrew Ferguson (CFMEU NSW Secretary) 0412 511 994   [ more news ]