International Workers Memorial Day is held each year to remember those who have lost their lives, suffered injury or experienced illness because of their work. It is also a day of action, raising awareness of the importance of strong health and safety laws, proper training and employer accountability. Trade unions like the CWU across the world mark the occasion by honouring those lost and renewing the commitment to safer workplaces, because every worker has the right to return home safely at the end of the day.
Darren Roberts, Branch Secretary for Capital Branch, paid his respects at the International Workers Memorial Day in Tower Bridge London on April 29th. The event honoured workers who lost their lives in the line of duty, with this year’s focus on the impact of global warming on health and safety. Issues like heat stress, air pollution, and extreme weather are all affected by climate change.
The day, rooted in the union movement, serves to remember those who died while on duty. According to the Health and Safety Labour Watch (ISIG), at least 425 workers lost their lives at work in the first three months of 2024.
John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, attended the event, emphasising the importance of health and safety. He pledged that if Labour wins the next general election, improving and implementing safety measures would be a top priority.
Darren, along with members from Capital Branch, laid flowers for a former colleague who died tragically while working on a cabinet by the A40 in Ealing London.
Joining CWU Capital is one of the strongest steps workers can take to help improve workplace safety and reduce preventable deaths at work. As part of an organised union branch, members have access to experienced representatives who can raise concerns, challenge unsafe conditions and push employers to act before incidents occur. CWU Capital works to protect members through support, inspections, guidance and collective pressure when standards are not good enough. The more members who join, the stronger our voice becomes in demanding safer workplaces where everyone has the right to return home safely each day.