The STUC considers the ten year prison sentence handed down to an Edinburgh bank manager illustrates that the law treats corporate crime committed against an employer by an employee more seriously than employer crime against workers and their families.
Ian Tasker, STUC Health and Safety Officer said
“We have to ask why a crime of fraud attracts a ten year penalty while employers who kill or maim their workers do not even end up in court”.
“For many employers reading the reports of this sentence might feel justice has been served but for many families who lose loved ones as a result of work related accidents this sense of justice is never achieved”.
“Companies and their Directors should not be allowed to hide behind the corporate veil and receive immunity from prosecution following workplace fatalities while at the same time being able to enjoy the protection of the legal establishment when crimes are committed against them”.
“There is quite clearly something perverse about a society that cannot investigate and prosecute employers who commit acts of homicide against individuals but accepts that lesser crimes of fraud should be punishable by substantial sentences as witnessed in this case”.
Ends For further information contact Ian Tasker 0141 337 8100