In a major victory for working people and the Pike River Families who have long campaigned for this, Labour have committed to passing a corporate homicide law should it win government in November’s election.
Sandra Grey, President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, says this is something unions have long campaigned for.
Under the policy, a Labour-led government would amend the Crimes Act to create a new offence of corporate homicide, holding negligent employers criminally accountable when a worker is killed on the job. The offence would cover conduct that is reckless or grossly negligent about the risk to a worker’s life. Individuals convicted could face up to life imprisonment, organisations could be fined up to $10 million, and directors convicted of the offence could be disqualified from running a company.
“Every week in New Zealand a worker is killed at work, and another 17 are killed by work related illnesses says Grey. ” Every single one of these deaths is preventable. Yet New Zealand still has no corporate homicide law to ensure the worst breaches of health and safety result in criminal liability.”
“Too many working people have gone to work and not come home to their families. For too long, employers who cut corners on safety have faced little more than a fine. Corporations should not be above the law. If their decisions or failures are responsible for a worker’s death, they need to be held accountable,” says Grey.
“This commitment is thanks to the tireless advocacy of the families who have lost loved ones at work, and to union members who have refused to let those deaths be forgotten.”
“We’re also pleased Labour has committed to restoring Fair Pay Agreements, reversing the Government’s gutting of pay equity, and extending the Living Wage,” says Grey. “Together, these policies would help lift wages, strengthen workers’ rights, and rebuild the basic protections working people need.” Says Grey.
“Unions have been clear for a long time about what working people need to be safe at work, and we’re glad Labour has listened,” Grey says. “Every worker deserves to come home safe at the end of the day, and we’ll keep pushing until that’s the reality in every workplace across Aotearoa.”
