Calderdale Trades Council set to mark International Workers' Memorial Day

There will be a Socially Distanced Wreath Laying and one minute silence at 11am at the Workers Memorial Day Stone by Halifax Central Library.

Calderdale Trades Council will also be holding an Online Vigil at 1pm.

This will end in time for the TUC’s International WMD Call which starts at 2pm.

A spokesperson for Calderdale Trades Council said: "Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. On International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) we commemorate workers who have died at, or become injured or ill through their work.

"Most work deaths occur because an employer did not make workers’ safety an important enough priority."

The theme for IWMD 2021 is Health and Safety is a fundamental workers' right.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed an occupational health crisis in workplaces worldwide," added the Calderdale Trades Council.

"Workers are routinely denied even basic health and safety protections such as consultation with safety reps on ‘Covid-safe’ practices, lack of personal protective equipment and victimisation for raising health and safety concerns.

"Many front line workers - NHS, Care workers, bus/rail/taxi drivers, civil service, shops, supermarkets and others – have lost their lives, or become ill through contracting Covid-19 at work. Many such infections were preventable but for inadequate action by the Government and some employers.

"No-one should have to die to make a living. The trades union movement’s message for #IWMD21 is that Health and Safety should be recognised as a fundamental right for all at work."