Trade Unions join Minister for the Economy to remember all those killed, injured or made sick at or because of work
On Tuesday 29 April 2025, the Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee ICTU Jacquie White will invite Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald 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. 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.
Sadly every year we see instances where workers die in tragic and preventable circumstances at work and we must register our shock that fatalities within areas under the responsibility of HSENI increased from eight in 2022-23 to 17 in 2023-24. There were also increases in major workplace accidents and serious incidents (as reported* by HSENI).
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 Dr Caoimhe Archibald said
The safety of workers is recognised as a fundamental part of any good job. My Department, along with the Health and Safety Executive, is committed to working alongside trade unions, employers and workers to improve worker safety. We will continue to provide advice and support, strengthen health and safety laws, improve enforcement, and promote education and awareness to achieve a safer working environment for everyone.
Ms White added
The trade unions welcome the renewed and revitalised debate on employment rights, and many of the comments made in the NI Assembly chamber recently signal a commitment to create better working conditions in every workplace. A Good Job is also a safe job which reduces risks and protects 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.
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.
