Yesterday evening a public meeting was held in the Viareggio Council offices, to discuss working conditions in the port. The meeting was precipitated by a fatal accident, to a 23 year old South African worker Joubert Thomson, who died from head injuries, on February 28, after falling 8 metres from scaffolding, whilst working on a Benetti yacht.

City Councillor, Mauro Rossi, said he spoke for the entire council, when saying “Four of the world’s top yacht producers are based in Viarregio. We must match the excellence of the boats constructed here with excellence in job conditions, which are still deplorable in many cases.” Rossi cited the precariousness of workers employment situations, low pay – only €750 per month basic in some cases – meaning that workers had to put in long hours. He also called for better safety procedures, focussed on prevention of accident and professional training.

Regional councillor, Giuseppe Bertolucci, said Joubert’s accident had provoked anger in the community and also called for higher standards. He cited moonlighting and lack of clear responsibility, due to the fact that 20 or 30 different firms might work on one yacht, as things that led to accidents.

The consensus was that it is time to turn some things upside down and not just think of profit, but seriously face the safety and social issues that arise from the use of casual labour with inadequate training.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 March 2007 )