Luke Pollard MP Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Yesterday on International Workers’ Memorial Day, Luke joined the one minute’s silence for people around the world who have lost their lives at work. He asked that we think especially of all of those who have died after catching Coronavirus while working.
Every year on April 28th, all around the world the trade union movement unites to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day, to remember those who have lost their lives at work, or from work-related injury and diseases.
Ensuring that people can go to work and come home safely has been a cornerstone of the trade union movement since it was formed. At 11am on today, Tuesday 28th April, there will be a minute’s silence.It will be a moment to pay tribute to the sacrifice made of so many workers during the pandemic, to remember those who’ve sadly lost their lives, and to thank all those who continue to do vital work at great risk.
Luke Pollard said:
“I want to thank the Trade Unions, the trade union safety health and safety reps in workplaces, and all those who are making the case for workplaces to be safer. We could not have a starker reminder of the important role of trade union health and safety reps in saving and protecting workers’ lives, than the current crisis we are living through.
“Right now, people right across our country are going to work supporting our public services, our food supplies, caring for others and countless other roles. The coronavirus pandemic affects every worker regardless of where they work or where they are. Tens of thousands of workers worldwide have died. More have fallen ill or continue to go to work risking their lives. Many workers are still attending work ill-equipped, without the vital PPE that they need to protect themselves.
“This year’s International Workers’ Memorial Day will be very different from ones that we’ve had in recent years. There won’t be public events or gatherings. But there will still be the one minute silence at 11am today. I’ll be joining people right across our country, in taking a moment to remember those people who went to work and didn’t come back.
“We need to remember the dead, and fight for the living.”