National Labour Protection Act

The National Labour Protection Act of 1741

Section 1: Short Title

This Act may be cited as the National Labour Protection Act of 2041.

Section 2: Findings and Purpose

Congress finds the following:

In 1741.14, the Silkstone Manufacturing Complex explosion tragically killed over 200 workers and injured hundreds more due to unsafe working conditions, corporate negligence, and a failure to provide necessary safety measures.
The private sector has the potential to foster innovation in safety practices and provide workers with better protections through voluntary corporate responsibility, incentivized regulations, and market-based reforms.
Effective reforms can be achieved by incentivizing businesses to adopt best practices in worker safety and corporate responsibility, without imposing heavy-handed government intervention.

The purpose of this Act is:

To create voluntary workplace safety standards for businesses while offering incentives for compliance.
To foster a cooperative environment between employers, workers, and labour unions, with a focus on voluntary collective bargaining and shared responsibility.
To provide mechanisms for corporate accountability that encourage self-regulation, rather than punitive action, to address negligence.
To enhance workers' compensation and provide support for those injured in workplace incidents, ensuring fairness and transparency.

Section 3: Workplace Safety Standards

Employers are encouraged to:

Conduct annual safety audits to identify and mitigate risks in the workplace, with a focus on high-risk industries such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation.
Adopt best practice safety training programs, tailored to each industry, and improve safety awareness through employee workshops and incentives.
Provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure their proper use in hazardous work environments.
Employers who voluntarily meet established safety standards will be eligible for a Safety Certification. Companies with this certification will receive benefits such as:

• Tax breaks for safety improvements.
• Priority in federal contracts and loans.
• Public recognition for adherence to high safety standards.

Section 4: Worker Rights and Union Protections

Workers shall have the right to:

• Form, join, or assist labour unions and engage in voluntary collective bargaining with employers over wages, hours, and working conditions.
• Access union resources without fear of retaliation, while ensuring that participation in union activities remains voluntary and non-coercive.
• Employers and workers will be encouraged to use mediation services to resolve disputes and negotiate terms, fostering collaboration over confrontation.

Protection from Retaliation – Employers found guilty of retaliating against workers for:

• Union activities or organizing efforts
• Reporting safety violations or filing workers’ compensation claims shall face penalties, including civil fines and restitution for damages caused.

Section 5: Corporate Accountability

Corporations that fail to adhere to safety regulations or engage in gross negligence that results in workplace accidents shall be:

• Required to pay reparations to affected workers and families, including lifetime healthcare for injured employees.
• Subject to civil penalties, but with the understanding that the primary focus is on remediation rather than punitive measures.

Companies that adopt proactive safety measures and engage in self-regulation will:

• Receive government grants for innovation in worker safety technologies.
• Be publicly recognized for their contributions to improving industry standards.
• Be given preference in federal contracts.

Section 6: Worker Healthcare and Paid Leave

Employers who voluntarily provide healthcare benefits to employees shall:

• Be eligible for tax deductions on the cost of employee health plans, which should include preventive care, treatment for workplace injuries, and mental health services.

Employers are encouraged to:

• Offer paid sick leave for all employees, with the possibility of setting the amount of leave based on the size and needs of the company, incentivized through tax rebates for businesses that meet or exceed a minimum threshold.

Section 7: Implementation and Enforcement

The Confederate States Labour Commission will oversee the voluntary certification of companies that adhere to workplace safety standards and will:

• Provide support to businesses seeking to improve their safety practices, including offering consultation services and training programs.
• Monitor and track corporate participation in the voluntary programs, publicly reporting on compliance.
• Ensure that enforcement remains focused on education and support rather than punitive fines.

The National Labour Board will facilitate voluntary dispute resolution between workers, unions, and employers, offering mediation and arbitration services for workplace issues.

Section 8: Funding

Funding for Safety Incentives – This Act will allocate $1.5 billion annually to:

• Fund tax incentives for companies that meet or exceed safety standards.
• Provide grants to businesses for innovation in safety practices and technology.
• Support public-private partnerships to enhance worker safety programs.

A fund will be established to help educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities, supported by both public and private contributions.

Section 9: Effective Date

This Act shall take effect on 1714.15, with companies required to meet safety standards and begin reporting by 1714.17.

Section 10: Severability

If any provision of this Act is deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the Act shall remain in effect.