Trade Unions join Minister for the Economy to remember all those killed, injured or made sick at or because of work
On Thursday 25 April 2024, Vice-Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee ICTU Jacquie White will invite Minister for the Economy Conor Murphy MLA, to participate in a wreath laying ceremony in Stormont estate to mark Workers Memorial Day and remember all those who have lost their lives at or because of work.
Speaking in advance of the ceremony, Ms White said
Workers Memorial Day is marked around the world in/around 28th April as a way of remembering workers who have died, been injured or made sick at or because of work. For decades, trade unions have championed workplace safety, campaigning for robust health and safety laws to protect workers from harm. Sadly every year we see instances where workers die in tragic and preventable circumstances at work and while deaths in 2022-2023 were reduced from the previous year (10 in 2022/2023 down from 19 the previous year), one death at work is too many.
Ms White will be joined by the Minister for the Economy and invited guests including trade union officials, MLAs, representatives from HSENI and trade union safety representatives to lay a wreath at a tree which was planted in memory of David Leyland, a GMB member, who was killed at work in 2008.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy MLA said
One of the key pillars of my Economic Vision is the creation of Good Jobs. A Good Job is also a safe job and my aim is to strengthen my Department’s resolve to reduce risks and protect people from serious injuries and death at work. Strengthening Trade Union representation, giving workers a stronger voice and creating the conditions where employers and workers can come together and tackle these challenges is how we will achieve safer working environments and help to achieve my wider economic vision of Good Jobs for all.
Ms White continued
We planted a tree in 2011 along with the GMB trade union and dedicated it to the memory of David Leyland, a young man who’s life was tragically cut short by a horrific incident while he was at work in a BIFFA landfill site. In gathering annually at this tree we remember David and his family and all of those workers and families whose lives have been ended or blighted by poor safety practice at work.
It is a staggering fact that every year more people die as a result of workplace accidents and other work-related causes such as asbestosis, than are killed in wars. Many don’t die of mystery ailments or in tragic unavoidable accidents but often as a result of corners being cut or as a result of insufficient training. When employers decide that workplace safety isn't that important a priority – death and serious injury is the inevitable consequence.
We must commit ourselves to looking to the future to work together with employers, government and enforcement agencies to make deaths at work a thing of the past. Zero deaths at work is the only acceptable statistic. We also pay tribute to the thousands of trade union safety representatives who work with employers and members to keep workplaces safer and healthier.
