Update from BWI
FTBBF, FNTCS, SNTBB will mark 28 April in Ougadougou by raising awareness of the safety and health hazards faced by casual and temporary workers.
Category Archives: 2017
Scotland: Scottish Hazards Campaign reports 28 April events will be held across Scotland
International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) will be marked at events across the country on Friday 28 April 2017. Listings can be found on the STUC’s website.
Should you wish to know more about the background to IWMD and to get ideas for organising, read this flier prepared by Greater Manchester Hazards Centre and watch their new film.
If you’re preparing speeches/materials for IWMD, make sure you tell “The Whole Story” on work-related injury, deaths and illness, by using the details contained in this presentation, again prepared by GMCH.
Details of how to obtain resources such as purple forget-me-knot ribbons, “Union Workplaces are Safer Workplaces” car stickers, posters, stickers, etc is available in this leaflet.
Can we ask that you send photos of your events to Ian Tasker @ the STUC – itasker@stuc.org.uk and to us at Scottish Hazards using info@scottishhazards.org .
Wales: 28 April reception to remember those who have lost their lives at work
Global: Unions Make Work Safer! The case of forestry
“Unions Make Work Safer!” is the slogan for International Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April 2017. “Forestry work does not compare to factory or construction work and it presents its own sets of challenges and problems in terms of Occupational Health and Safety (OSH). However, BWI affiliates in the sector work hard every day to minimize the risks of forestry work and make sure that OSH trainings and provisions are put in place.” says BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson.
Gabon: On 28 April UTBTPBSP will encourage social dialogue
Update from BWI
UTBTPBSP is targeting union activists and companies management in Libreville to create an avenue for social dialogue between workers and management around OHS issues.
Ghana: Union targets dialogue with companies on 28 April
Update from BWI
Timber and Woodworkers’ Union (TWU) of Ghana is targeting union activists and companies management at MELGREP company limited to create an avenue for social dialogue between workers and management around OHS issues.
Ghana: Public forum on the trade union role in securing a peaceful election and development
Update from BWI
Construction and Building Material Workers’ union (CBMWU) of Ghana is organising a public forum, in Accra, on the trade union role in securing a peaceful election for national cohesion and development.
The aim is to raise public awareness of unions’ contribution to peace keeping and development.
Philippines: IOHSAD calls on President Duterte for justice, truth and new safety laws
To avoid a national holiday NGO Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD), together with the workers of Kentex Manufacturing Corporation, have held International Workers’ Memorial Day early (pictures below).
Also see IOHSAD news release
Workers’ Memorial Day Duterte Challenge ( 2017)
Ireland: ICTU “Remember the dead; fight like hell for the living!” #IWMD17
Congress, alongside trade unions around the world, has for many years celebrated Workers’ Memorial Day on April 28th. In 2015 our commemoration was given official backing. Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash T.D called on the HSA, employers and public bodies to join with Congress in making the day a truly national event henceforth. In 2017, we continue our partnership with HSA, Ibec and CIF in marking the day and trying to increase consciousness of the importance of health and safety.
Congress is asking all of its affiliated unions, trades councils and the Congress Centres Network to get involved in marking the day. Some suggestions are:
- Get involved by using the national Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland logo on your website, social media presence, presentations, email signatures and displays; there is a download link below. EPS versions also available on request.
- Print and display the memorial poster below in as many workplaces as possible
- Observing a minute of silence and reflection in your workplace during the day on 28th April.
- Holding a service of remembrance and solidarity for workplace safety.
- Circulation of safety and health messages throughout workplaces and review risk assessments and update Safety Statements (see http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Managing_Health_and_Safety/Safety_Representatives_and_Consultation/ from HSA to help you in this)
- Promote the day on Websites/Social Media/Newsletters use the hashtag #IWMD17
- In-house safety training sessions or a toolbox talk
- Press release to your local/national media marking your event / the day
- Make and wear the simple purple ribbon “forget-me-knot” which has become associated with the day (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workers%27_Memorial_Day#/media/File:WMD_ribbon.jpg)
April 28th presents an important opportunity to remember and to consolidate everyone’s focus around a single day. Please mark the date in your calendar and make the commitment to contribute to this most important challenge.
Congress is asking all unions, trades councils and centres to actively support the event and to let us know what you plan; or let us know afterwards what you have done. Drop us a line at safety@ictu.ie
Contact Frank Vaughan in Congress for any further information.
Logo/Poster Appearance |
Download Link |
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Congress IWMD Logo |
 Cover image for Congress Poster_IWMD |
Congress IWMD Poster |
Ireland: A “staggering” level of work fatalities
The Irish Health and Safety Agency has published the following information, advice and resources for International Workers’ Memorial Day..
For everyone with an interest in the safety, health and welfare of people at work, April 28th is an important date. It’s the date every year when trade union and employer groups worldwide, as well as individual organisations, remember those who have been killed or injured in work-related accidents.
In Ireland the figures are staggering. In the 3 year period between 2014 and 2016, 156 people were killed in work-related accidents and thousands more badly injured. Last year alone 45 people were killed. These are shocking statistics by any standards.
Colleagues from Congress, Ibec, the Health and Safety Authority and Construction Industry Federation will join together to mark the occasion with a national commemoration event in Dublin. We are asking you, as a key stakeholder, to join the efforts nationally. To the mark the day there are a range of initiatives that your organisation should consider including:
- Get involved by using the national Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland logo on your website, social media presence, presentations, email signatures, displays and in offices and workplaces. (download here)
- In-house training sessions or a toolbox talk
- Website/Social Media/Newsletter content
- Guest speaker presentation to your staff
- Press release to your local/national media marking your event / the day
Worker safety and health is everyone’s business and can only be tackled through a collaborative approach. April 28th presents an important opportunity to remember and to consolidate everyone’s focus around a single day. It will be an annually recurring national event. Please mark the date in your calendar and make the commitment to contribute to this most important challenge.
For further information contact Gavin Lonergan, Head of Communications at the HSA at gavin@hsa.ie or (01) 799 7838.
http://www.hsa.ie/eng/News_Events_Media/Events/Workers_Memorial_Day/