On the 19th of April, an 18-year-old man died on his Work for the Dole site at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. The Australian Unemployed Workers' Union extends its thoughts and sympathies to the family and friends who have suffered this tragic loss.

According to an article in the Chronicle, the 18-year-old Meringandan man died after he fell from a flatbed trailer being towed by a tractor at the Toowoomba Showgrounds at about 12.20pm.

Queensland Ambulance advanced care paramedics tried desperately to treat the man at the scene of the incident but were unable to stabilise him.

Frantic CPR efforts en route to hospital were unsuccessful and the young man later died of critical head injuries.

We are sickened that this was allowed to happen.

Ever since this Work for the Dole forced labour program was expanded in July 2015 the Australian Unemployed Workers' Union has been informed of many cases where the Coalition Government was not taking the steps necessary to ensure the safety of workers at Work for the Dole sites.

We have heard cases of unemployed workers being threatened with immediate suspension of their unemployment entitlement when they raised concerns about the safety of their Work for the Dole site.

We have heard a number of cases of Work for the Dole sites refusing to give workers the appropriate safety equipment.

We have heard cases of unemployed workers with chronic injuries being forced to dig holes and undertake other strenuous activities.

We have heard cases of job agencies bullying unemployed workers into Work for the Dole activities that they are not required to attend.

We have heard cases of unemployed workers even being refused access to basic amenities.

With the Government's refusal to prioritise the safety of workers at Work for the Dole sites, a tragedy like this was only a matter of time.

After this tragedy, it is now clear that the Government cannot guarantee the safety of workers at Work for the Dole sites. The safety process that the Government has put in place have failed.

Work for the Dole is dangerous. It is a punitive billion dollar forced labour program which does not help people into work.

For the safety and wellbeing of unemployed workers, Work for the Dole must be abolished.

Sign this petition below to join our fight against this punitive and dangerous program.