New Zealand

CTU says pressure on Labour Minister over forestry deaths

20:03 pm on 6 July 2013

The Council of Trade Unions says pressure is mounting on the Minister of Labour to launch an inquiry into safety practices in the forestry industry.

Sixty-seven forestry workers have died in work-related accidents since 2000.

Five have died since a code of practice for the industry was introduced last year.

Labour Minister Simon Bridges says the code would have prevented fatal accidents if people had acted on it.

However, CTU president Helen Kelly says it isn't working, and families, workers, unions and employers all agree an inquiry is needed to improve safety.

Ms Kelly says Mr Bridges needs to sit down with unions and employers to find a solution.