Workers' Memorial Day 2020

April 28th is International Workers' Memorial Day, when we remember those who have lost their lives in the course of doing their job. 

Workers' Memorial Day has always been to "remember the dead: fight for the living" and unions are asked to focus on both areas, by considering events or memorial to remember all those killed through work but at the same time ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated. That can best be done by building trade union organisation, and campaigning for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health & safety laws. Workers Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government.

Marking Workers Memorial Day in 2018.  Unite's Phil Mills,
Unison's Roy Noble, Ann Iordan from Unite Community and
Dave Brinson from National Education Union. 

In previous years, Eastbourne Trades Council has always had a visible street presence on WMD, raising awareness and asking the people of Eastbourne to remember.  In these difficult times, we will not be able to do this for 2020, but there is a great deal we can do to commemorate those who have lost their lives.

In particular this year, let's honour those NHS staff who have died from Covid-19, some of whom returned to work from retirement to help others during the crisis. And fight like hell for other staff in the NHS and Care sectors to get the proper PPE they need.

Please support the TUC's call for a minute's silence to remember those who have lost their lives in the course of doing their job. The Government is supporting this initiative, and many open workplaces are doing so too.

You can find out more about International Workers Memorial Day at the TUC's Website here.