24일 세계노총이 성명을 통해 <아프리카 가나의 광산지역에서 가연성물질을 운반하던 트럭과 이륜차 충돌로 발생한 사고에서 13명의 노동자들이 사망한데 대해 깊은 애도를 표한다>라며 <이 사건은 가나가 국제노동기구(ILO)회원국임에도 불구하고 가연성 물질을 관리하는 기업들이 의료보건정책을 실질적으로 실시하게 하지 못하고 있다는 충격적인 사실을 시사했다>고 발표했다.
성명은 <세계노총은 노동자들을 무시와 부정의로부터 보호할 것을 결의하며, 더 나아가 가나의 노동정책이 <기업은 노동자를 보호하기 위해 노동환경을 독성물질, 유해물질, 연기・먼지로 인한 오염으로부터 철저히 관리해야 한다>는 정책을 위반하는 데 대해 강력히 비판한다>고 밝혔다.
다음은 전문이다.
| The WFTU and its affiliates were deeply flabbergasted and saddened the accident caused by the truck carrying explosives whch resulted in the death of 13 people after it crashed with a motorcycle according to police. This clearly proofs beyond reasonable doubts that the lives of our people has less value compared to that of animals. This is extremely shocking given the fact that, Ghana as a member state affiliates to ILO is bound to uphold convention No 155 that requires all employers to put in place necessary health and safety policies and practice to safeguard the plight of workers. It is against this background that we will forever remain resolute in defense of the plights of workers against sheer ignorance and injustice sought to trivialize the hard won gains workers attained when it was not fashionable. We further note with dismay the breach of Ghana labour act as specified in their policies inter alias stating that, “employer must take measures to prevent contamination of the workplaces and protect the workers from, toxic gases, noxious substances, vapors, dust. Fumes. Mists and other substances or materials hazardous to safety or health” We elate this progressive legislation akin South African protective labour legislation that derives their mandate from their respective supreme laws to protect workers and their surrounding communities. The WFTU will forever strive to echo its position in pursuit of lending a hand through solidarity to the people of Palestine, Cuba, Swaziland and any other country their sovereignty may be under siege. Without any equivocation, we will do everything possible to keep our eye to the developments that seeks to take care of the plight of those people including ensuring the bereaved families are compensated for the loss of their loved ones and their children also finds solace while pursuing their studies. We are urging labour movement in its entirety as echoed by Karl Marx “Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains” we are making this clarion call precisely because workers belong to the community hence their struggle cannot succeed without the involvement of civil society. |
