“International Worker’s Memorial Day is a key event in the promotion of safe working places for all workers,” said Natalie Don (SNP – Renfrewshire North & West).

International Workers Memorial Day takes place every year on the 28th April. The purpose of the day is two-fold, to remember those who have died, been injured, or made ill by their work and to ensure that this loss and suffering is used to reinvigorate all campaigns for healthier and safer work; for those still at work, their families, and their children who will become tomorrows’ workers.

There are two commemoration events in Renfrewshire this year –at 11:30am at the Workers Memorial Cairn at Robertson Park, Renfrew and at 12noon at the flagpoles outside Renfrewshire House in Paisley.

Natalie Don MSP added;

Natalie Don MSP at the Memorial Cairn for International Workers Memorial Day

“The theme for this year’s International Worker’s Memorial Day is ‘health and safety is a fundamental right’ underlining the importance of ensuring that every workplace is safe and healthy for all workers.

“We have seen through the Covid pandemic the dangers that medical staff and others were placed in when trying to care for those who contracted Covid, we should ensure that every workplace is a safe environment for all workers. And that also means not wasting valuable public finances on faulty PPE equipment – as we have seen with the UK Tory Government!

“Everyone deserves to know that they will be returning home from their work, and for that to happen we need stronger enforcement of health and safety policies within each workplace.

“Normally on this day I would be attending the event at the Worker’s Memorial Cairn in Robertson Park, Renfrew and fondly remembering former Councillor Bill Perrie who worked hard with Paisley and District Trade Council to get this cairn installed. However, as I will be in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 28th April I will take time out at 12noon to pay my respects to all those who have lost their lives at work.”