New York, Apr 28 (EFE).- Construction workers, mostly Latino immigrants, today in New York remembered other workers who have died or been injured in their workplace and demanded greater security, better wages and respect.
On commemorating Fallen Workers Day – which the labor movement commemorates in the US today – the workers gathered in front of the building, in the Chelsea sector of lower Manhattan, where in April 2015 the Ecuadorian worker lost his life Carlos Moncayo.
“Justice” they shouted while holding a gigantic black banner with the names, written in white paint, of those who have died, in an act called by the organization New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), which helps immigrant workers.
Studies have shown that Latinos and those who are not unionized are at greater risk of dying in the workplace and many tragedies have occurred when falling from scaffolding or being buried in trenches that are dug for construction, as happened to Moncayo. recalled Nilbia Coyote, executive director of NICE.
He also recalled that prior to many accidents authorities had warned of violations by companies of the occupational safety law without any action having been taken in this regard. “These are preventable deaths” that continue to occur, he said.
Coyote cited a report released this year by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety (NYCOSH) – made up of workers, unions, community organizations and activists – that 20 workers died in this city during 2021, with the rate of deaths returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Moncayo, a 22-year-old undocumented immigrant died due to a cave-in that occurred while he was digging a trench of more than 13 feet (3.96 meters) that buried him and according to the investigation, the foreman and project supervisor had ignored repeated warnings of danger, even shortly before the accident.
The company he worked for was found guilty of negligent homicide and manslaughter, the first time in the nation that a construction company has been found guilty of manslaughter and fined. .
His death also resulted in a law, signed last November by Gov. Kathy Hochul, that increases fines for businesses, up to $500,000, for the death or serious physical injury of an employee.
Juan Iza, also an Ecuadorian, recalled the death of his brother Eduardo, who lost consciousness while working in construction and the company did not immediately take him to a hospital and when it did, it was too late. “Maybe they had something to hide,” he commented.
Coyote stressed the importance of educating themselves about their rights and taking the occupational safety course required for construction jobs in New York.
Francisco Palacios, who has the certificate of having taken the course, said that he was fired when, after observing violations, he demanded that conditions for workers be improved.
