Comisiones Obreras has described as "inadmissible" the statements made to La Voz by the owner of the company Hermanos Tavío Santana, Juan Lorenzo Tavío, after the work accident in which a worker lost his arm, while performing maintenance work on a conveyor belt.
"The statements provoke indignation", due to "the lack of empathy and humanity with the affected worker. Their lack of preventive culture and ignorance of the legislation on prevention of occupational hazards is very evident, without recognizing at any time the obligation that the company has to ensure the health and safety of its workers", the union points out.
"These comments without conducting an in-depth investigation of the facts, especially when the employer was present when they occurred, highlight the lack of preventive awareness and their repeated attempt to pass their responsibility to the affected worker," he denounces.
In addition, he criticizes "the lack of humanity and social commitment, underestimation of the severity of the injuries suffered by the worker, since the damage suffered by the worker will have labor and personal consequences that are still pending assessment."
For this reason, CCOO announces that it is "analyzing the viability" of appearing as a private prosecution against the company, "in order to guarantee the rights of the affected worker and prevent situations and statements as regrettable as those that have occurred from recurring."
The Secretary of Occupational Health and Environment of CCOO Canarias, Carmen Marrero Falcón, recalls that the law establishes "the employer's duty to protect and guarantee the safety and health of its workers in its service in all aspects related to work."
"The situation generated by Covid has led to a relaxation of preventive measures, generating the maintenance of the figures for work accidents classified as serious and fatal, even with the sharp drop in work activity. We must avoid this relaxation and continue on the path of reducing occupational accidents in the Canary Islands, promoting the effective integration of preventive management into the company's activities," he defends.
For CCOO Canarias, "the defense of the safety and health of workers is a priority" and "every effort is little to prevent events as dramatic as the one that occurred from happening." Finally, the union wanted to convey its "support and encouragement to the affected colleague and his family", offering advice.
