![](\"https:\/\/www.itfglobal.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/node_main\/public\/node\/news\/image\/ICTSI-Jakarta-2.png?itok=hKnt94AE\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Unions remember workers lost to negligent employers and safety standards<\/strong><\/p>\n Today, the 28th of April, marks International Workers\u2019 Memorial Day, when trade unions around the world remember and mourn the loss of the colleagues, friends and family who never came home from work.<\/p>\n Most of these tragedies were preventable. Yet the negligence of employers and a lack of adequate occupational safety and health standards continue to kill and injure transport workers across the world.<\/p>\n In the past year, many transport workers have lost their lives in the workplace and millions more have suffered life-changing injuries and ill health, including:<\/p>\n That\u2019s why we fight to ensure workers\u2019 have a seat at the table in setting occupational standards for safety and health in every transport sector.<\/p>\n International Workers\u2019 Memorial Day is a day to mourn all the workers who have needlessly lost their lives to negligent employers. And it reminds us to organise so it doesn\u2019t happen again.<\/p>\n We\u2019re taking action today to honour the memories of colleagues and friends. Read on to see how you can take part.<\/p>\n In June 2022, unions secured the landmark decision from the International Labour Organization (ILO) to include \u2018a safe and healthy working environment\u2019 in its framework of fundamental principles and rights at work.<\/p>\n But words need action. This year, the ITF has outlined safety and health as the first priority in our\u00a0annual report<\/a>, and committed to keep working to put this right into practice.<\/p>\n These examples show our 2023 plans to be on front line of pushing for better health and safety standards:<\/p>\n Transport workers practise acts of health and safety with every shift, and often go far beyond. From the heroic tug crew Todd Dutton and Shaun Kirkpatrick who\u00a0saved the life of a 14 year old girl from the torrents of the Fraser River<\/a>, to the thousands of transport workers who support relief efforts of natural disasters, like the devastating earthquakes that hit T\u00fcrkiye and Syria in February, and war zones from Palestine and Sudan to Ukraine and Yemen.<\/p>\n We look out for workmates in hazardous areas, spot each other when loading cargo, remind each other to \u2018bend at the knees\u2019, and are there for each other when the strain of the job is just too much for our body or mind.<\/p>\n Protecting workers\u2019 lives, preventing injuries and demanding safe workplaces has always been at the heart of our movement – and always will.<\/p>\n We will keep fighting for safe and healthy workplaces – whether it\u2019s securing freedom for abandoned seafarers, drawing up more safety agreements with airport operators, or campaigning to end gender-based violence in the workplace.<\/p>\n Organised workplaces are safer workplaces.\u00a0<\/strong>That\u2019s why we\u2019ll continue to remember the dead, and fight hard for the living.<\/p>\n Today, workers around the world will be paying their respects to lost colleagues and friends. We invite you to attend an event, vigil or ceremony near you to honour their memories.<\/p>\n Use the 28 April global map to find an event near you<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alternatively, attend a memorial event if your union is holding one.<\/p>\n Can\u2019t attend an event in person? We\u2019re also inviting you to put your work boots out in honour of workers who have died on the job.<\/p>\n Make sure to share a photo on social media with the hashtag\u00a0#IWMD2023<\/strong>\u00a0to contribute to the record of remembrances on the day.<\/p>\n On 28 April 2023, the ILO will celebrate the decision to include safe workplaces in its fundamental principles, bringing together experts and constituents to discuss the implications it has for the world of work, as well as how to practically implement this right in the world of work.<\/p>\n Join the ILO global dialogue on from 13:30 to 15:00 CEST:\u00a0How can we promote the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment?\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n To inform 28 April discussions, ILO has also produced a detailed report:\u00a0\u2018Implementing a safe and healthy working environment: Where are we now?\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n
This year\u2019s theme: organising for health and safety – a crucial part of union action<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Attend an IWMD event near you<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.itfglobal.org\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/Google%20Map.png\")
<\/p>\nPut your work boots out and share a photo on social media<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.itfglobal.org\/sites\/default\/files\/inline-images\/IWMD%202023%20Graphic.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nCelebrate the ILO\u2019s decision to declare \u2018a safe and healthy working environment\u2019 as a fundamental right<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Share this post<\/h3>