Plaque unveiled in Australia in memory of five Filipino workers killed there

The Catholic Bishop of Parramatta, Kevin Manning, joined members of the Filipino community and unionists at the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the lives of five Filipino guest workers killed in Australia.

Bishop Manning calls for safe
and fair conditions for guest workers

The plaque was unveiled at the offices of the Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU) in Lidcombe, NSW, on Thursday 19 February 2009.

The unveiling took place one year after two of the 457 visa workers, Antonio Pili and Rey Jardinel, were killed in a John Holland company vehicle on the way home from work in Nebo, Queensland.

CFMEU Assistant Secretary Mal Tulloch said the workers came to Australia seeking a better life, but ended up paying the ultimate price.

"Guest worker deaths are all too common, with 457 visa holders twice as likely to die at work than the national average. This plaque will not only be a memorial to the Filipino workers killed, but a reminder of all those guest workers who have lost their lives in Australia."

Full story: http://www.parra.catholic.org.au/cfemuunveil09.htm

Memorial Plaque Unveiling for Filipino Guest Workers

Address by Bishop Kevin Manning, Bishop of Parramatta

Friday 20 February 2009
Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union Offices,
Lidcombe, NSW

Thank you very much for the privilege of being with you today to unveil this memorial plaque. We remember, in particular, five temporary workers from the Philippines who lost their lives in industrial accidents in Australia. We also remember the many men and women from here and overseas who have lost their lives in work-related accidents.

Any accidental death is a tragedy - a tragedy for the family, for friends and co-workers. But it is more tragic when a foreigner, away from family and friends, dies in an accident that could have been prevented.

Full text of address: http://www.parra.catholic.org.au/Bishop/speeches.htm