Workers' Memorial Day
29/1/2010
The URTU has welcomed the Government's decision to formally recognise Workers' Memorial Day in the UK. This will bring the UK in line with countries including the United States, Canada and Brazil who already have an official day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), across the world:
- Each year, more than two million women and men die as a result of work-related accidents and diseases
- Workers suffer approximately 270 million occupational accidents each year, and fall victim to some 160 million incidents of work-related illnesses
- Hazardous substances kill 440,000 workers annually - asbestos claims 100,000 lives
- One worker dies every 15 seconds worldwide
- 6,000 workers die every day
- Work kills more people than wars
URTU Gereneral Secretary, Bob Monks, said,
"The official day will help promote our campaigns to highlight and prevent workplace accidents in the road haulage, distribution and logistics industry.
"These include our growing concern about people being injured by slips and trips during their daily work and drivers being unable to get sufficient rest due to the appalling state, and lack of, roadside facilities across the country."
The official day, on the 28 April, will also establish a platform for the Union to promote its message beyond Union members through increased media exposure and awareness.
