There has been a massive increase in work related illnesses with 60,000 people affected in just three months, it was claimed today.
The union Siptu called for action to tackle the escalating numbers of employees affected.
Sylvester Cronin, Siptu
Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have revealed almost 60,000 people suffered work-related illnesses in the first quarter of 2005. This is an increase of 29 per cent over the same period for 2004.
"Even if we allow for the increase in employment for the same period — from 1,835,900 in 2004 to 1,908,300 in 2005 — the net rate of increase is still 24 per cent," Siptu's health and safety advisor, Sylvester Cronin, warned.
Siptu said a more dramatic increase was evident in the eight years to 2005 — with the number of workers suffering work-related illnesses increasing by 129 per cent.
"Such drastic increases are completely unacceptable. It appears that trade unions — particularly Siptu — are the only organisations demanding action to reverse this trend. The silence from employers and government has been deafening," he said.
Mr Cronin called upon the Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen, to tackle the growing numbers.
Siptu said a number of critical questions need to be answered including the number of workers who suffer work-related illnesses that go on to develop debilitating conditions or are forced to retire early.
He said there was also a major cause for concern at the increase in the number of people killed at work — with 73 people killed in 2005, a 46 per cent increase on the previous year.
Mr Cronin said: "We demand to know what initiatives the Government is taking to ensure that employers are conforming with their statutory duties to protect employees at work. It seems employers can ignore their duties of care with virtual impunity."