BWI launches “Building Collapse Watch” for safer structures

The Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) has launched the “Building Collapse Watch," a global initiative addressing the alarming rise in preventable building collapses. Rooted in systemic negligence, corruption, and weak safety enforcement, these disasters have claimed countless lives and destabilised communities. BWI said that its initiative seeks to empower trade unions, workers, and advocates to demand ethical practices and rigorous oversight in the construction industry, prioritising public safety over profits.


Building collapses result from systemic failures, including poor design, counterfeit materials, cost-cutting on maintenance, and corruption. Climate change exacerbates these vulnerabilities, with extreme weather pushing poorly designed structures to their limits. The initiative released a 2024 newsletter reporting on a series of tragic collapses illustrating the devastating consequences of systemic failures across regions, including Pakistan, Serbia, Tanzania, Italy, Argentina, Kenya, India, South Africa, Spain, Brazil, Chile, and Indonesia. The BWI initiative aims to tackle these root causes by promoting stronger building codes, transparency, and accountability across all levels of the construction sector.


BWI said that trade unions are pivotal in driving this change. It calls on its affiliates to champion safe construction practices, protect workers’ rights, and collaborate with inspectors to strengthen oversight. By lobbying for robust regulations and exposing malpractice, unions play a critical role in ensuring a resilient built environment.


The BWI Building Collapse Watch is a rallying cry for collective action. Unions, governments, industry leaders, and communities must unite to disrupt malpractice and safeguard lives. “The time to act is now,” BWI emphasises, calling for an industry where safety and integrity are paramount.


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