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23 April, 2007
In the UK, trade unions are calling attention to 28 April’s International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers. The GMB is asking all its 600,000 members to convince MPs to officially recognise the day in the UK, as well as making it a national holiday.
GMB wants more MPs to sign on to an “Early Day Motion” in the House of Commons calling for official recognition of the day. Labour MP Michael Clapham has submitted the motion, and GMB Health and Safety Officer John McClean said, “We need (MPs) to do more than just lift their pens” on the initiative. Clapham’s motion has 78 MPs signed on, and is also supported heavily by ICEM affiliate Amicus and the Communication Workers’ Union.
Amicus, meanwhile, has distributed a petition to its members, also asking the UK’s government to officially recognise the day.
Amicus Research Officer Chris O’Leary states: “Most workers don’t die of mystery ailments, or in tragic accidents. They did because an employer decided that their safety just wasn’t that important a priority. Sixteen-hundred people die each year in the UK while doing their job, and 20,000 die from work-related diseases. This country should remember them President Rudolf on this day, as they do in other countries and by doing so, reduce this slaughter.”
The ICEM is extremely grateful to the ITUC, and particularly to Lucien Royer at the ITUC for tracking and distributing Workers’ Memorial Day 2007 activities. Much of the material in this special issue of InBrief originates from Lucien Royer.