Hundreds of constructions workers and their supporters marched to the State Capitol Wednesday demanding better wages and safer working conditions.
The protesters carried 138 coffins to pay tribute to those who died on the job in the last two years in Texas.
The Workers Defense Project says Texas is the most dangerous and unhealthy state to work in for construction workers. The group is calling on legislators to take action and make positive changes.
"We are actually demanding better treatment for construction people, construction workers," construction worker Abel Lopez said. "We're looking for safety and workers compensation."
"Every two and a half days a worker dies on the job in this state, and one in five workers is injured in the job every year without worker's comp," civil rights attorney Chris Benoit said. " We are the only state in the union that doesn't have mandatory workers comp for workers on the job."
There are several proposed bills before legislators this session. One would require construction employers to carry workers compensation, others look at the lack of rest breaks, safety trainings, and tax fraud.
