As with last year, International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 2017 is set to be observed on Friday the 28 April. The reason for this solemn day is so that we may remember and mourn for the men and women that have been killed or otherwise maimed and injured in the line of work. Unions and employers have been asked to remember the old saying “remember the dead: Fight for the forgiven” and are also asked to consider both areas in remembering those lost while striving to eliminate the potential for these tragedies to be repeated.
The theme for IWMD 2017 is “Good health and safety for all workers whoever they are”. This focusses on inequality in workplace health and safety and on the role that unions and employers play in minimising these inequalities.
On the same day World Day for Safety and Health at Work will take place which this year focuses on the critical need for countries to improve their capacity to collect and utilize reliable occupational safety and health data. You can find out more about the day and how to get involved here.
Statistics provided by the HSE tell us that between 2015-2016 144 people died in workplace related accidents. This is a 7% decrease on the average amount of deaths over the last five years. HSE statistics also tell us that over 1.3 million workers in the UK suffer from a work related illness.
[…] Get ready for International Workers’ Memorial Day 2017. The reason for this solemn day is so that we may remember and mourn for the men and women that have been killed or otherwise maimed and injured in the line of work. This year’s day takes place on the 28th April. (SHP Online) […]