USA: California’s Workers Memorial Week – We invite you to participate!

Every year on April 28th, we hold Workers’ Memorial Day to remember the millions of workers who have been injured or killed on the job, acknowledge the suffering experienced by families and communities, and to renew the fight for safe, healthy, and secure workplaces for all workers.

This year, we are calling on California state leadership and employers to protect workers from COVID-19. We invite you to join us throughout Workers Memorial Week (4/27 – 5/1) to uplift stories through your social media platforms that illustrate how the current health crisis is impacting workers, and exacerbating existing hazards and injustices. Let’s stand together to demand stronger protections for industries across the state now and beyond.

Participate by utilizing our Digital Toolkit, where you’ll find sample hashtags, tweets/posts, and graphics to upload to your respective social media pages. We also encourage you to repost any Workers Memorial Day content you come across – keep an eye out for other unions and worker centers in our network, who have been collecting stories of workers impacted by COVID-19 over the past few weeks (you can find those organizations listed under “allies to tag” in the toolkit).

Each day, we will have a theme and related demands to uplift the ways in which workers have been impacted by this crisis and what our state leaders need to do to better protect our communities:

  • Monday (4/27): General Health & Safety Day
  • Tuesday (4/28): Enforcement and Workplace Safeguards (Stronger Cal/OSHA Enforcement, PPE, Social Distancing, Hand washing, Expand Aerosol Transmitted Disease (ATD) to apply to all industries)
  • Wednesday (4/29): Financial Security
  • Thursday (4/30): Right to Refuse and Anti-Retaliation Protections
  • Friday (5/1): Health & Safety for All (May Day)

Here’s the facebook page for the week of action. Get in touch if you have questions or want to deepen your engagement in Workers’ Memorial Week!

Stay well, everyone!

Alice Berliner | Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her
Southern California Coalition for Occupational Safety & Health
1000 N. Alameda St., Suite 240 | Los Angeles, Ca 90012
www.socalcosh.com | Facebook

Global: ILO webinar – Stop the pandemic. Safety and health at work can save lives

ILO webinar
28 April 2020 15:00-16:00 (Geneva)
Please register at this link 

The aim of this webinar event is to stimulate dialogue on the importance of ensuring safety and health at work, not only to protect the lives of workers but also to ensure business continuity.

Global OSH experts will bring us the views of the scientific community, workers and employers on:

  • Safety and health and the response to the pandemic
  • The mental health impact of COVID-19 in different work scenarios
  • How to prepare for return to work under a risk-controlled scenario

Panellists:
Mr Joaquim Nunes, Chief, LABADMIN/OSH
Ms Manal Azzi, Senior OSH specialist and coordinator of the world day report and campaign
Ms Silvana Cappuccio, ILO Workers’ Group member from Italy
Mr Kris De Meester, Senior Adviser at the Federation of Enterprises, Belgium
Mr Richard Jones, Head of Policy and Regulatory Engagement, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Mr Lode Godderis, Leuven Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care
Ms Chris Laszcz-Davis, Founder and President of The Environmental Quality Organization and Co-Chair, Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA)
Ms Michelle M. Robertson, Executive Committee, International Ergonomics Association
Mr Barry Kistnasamy, Head of Occupational Health, Department of Health, South Africa
Ms Teresita S. Cucueco, OIC Assistant Secretary and concurrent Director IV, Bureau of Working Conditions, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippines

Please register at this link 
Kindly send your questions to the panellists ahead of the webinar to safeday@ilo.org 

Further information

Event

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2020 – Stop the pandemic: Safety and health at work can save lives 

https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety-and-health-at-work/events-training/events-meetings/world-day-safety-health-at-work/WCMS_742138/lang–en/index.htm

UK: Coronavirus – Remembering all the workers who’ve died after exposure to Covid-19 at work | TUC

28 Apr 2020

Today is International Workers’ Memorial Day, when trade unions around the world remember workers who lost their lives and commit to keep the living safe.

This is the story of Peter, Mary, Cheryl, Zeeshan and Emeka – five UK workers who were taken by Covid-19.

Today is International Workers’ Memorial Day, when trade unions around the world remember workers who lost their lives and commit to keep the living safe.

This year we especially remember the frontline workers who lost their lives to Covid-19 while looking after our loved ones and keeping our country running.

We will be forever in debt to the workers who have died during this pandemic – our nurses, doctors, care staff and other essential workers.

Remember the dead, fight for the living.

https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/coronavirus-remembering-all-workers-whove-died-after-exposure-covid-19-work

Bangladesh: OSHE demanded to recognise Covid-19 as an Occupational Disease

Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation has published a statement on the occasion of International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD), 28 April 2020.

Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Foundation (OSHE)  demanded on this special day to stop pandemics at work and asked the government to immediately recognize the Covid-19 as an occupational disease in Bangladesh.

An urgent efforts are needed to ensure that vulnerable group of workers and employees with Covid-19 should have appropriate access to proper housing, with space for quarantine and social distancing while sleeping and eating, potable water and proper sanitation facilities on and off the job, free health care, safe transport, safe work practices and income protection.

A just response to the coronavirus pandemic is one that demands access to healthcare, safety and hygiene, social protection, and basic human rights. Now more than ever civil society must strive to not only provide aid where it is needed, but to act in solidarity with emergent working class and social movements demanding a better and safer world for all.

Stay Safe!

With best regards,

A.R. Chowdhury Repon

Executive Director

USA: Join us this Workers Memorial Day to honor those who lost their lives – USW

The COVID-19 pandemic prevents us from gathering in person, but it won’t stop us from memorializing our Steelworker sisters and brothers who were injured or killed on the job on the last year.

Join us , April 28, at noon EST as we stream our 2020 Workers Memorial Day ceremony on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and our website.

Facebook: facebook.com/steelworkers/live
Instagram: Instagram.com/steelworkers
YouTube: youtube.com/steelworkers
USW Website: usw.org

We’ll take a few moments to reflect on those we’ve lost then do what we do: pivot into action to continue pushing for laws to make our workplaces safer.

Stay tuned for a series of educational webinars on our Facebook page kicking off this this week from our Health, Safety and Environment Department. Also look for information from Rapid Response about worker safety legislation we’re pushing. And watch for our Education Department’s video watch party series starting with the film, “Silkwood,” a drama based on health and safety concerns at a nuclear facility.

Finally, a reminder to visit usw.org/covid19 in the U.S. and usw.ca/covid19 in Canada often as we’re adding resources there daily to help us all get through this.

Ireland: Remember the dead and fight like hell for the living – UNITE union Ireland

The #Covid19 pandemic has focused attention on workplace health & safety. We need to ensure that focus remains once the emergency is over. As Cork-born Mother Jones famously said – remember the dead, and fight for the living! #IWMD20 #RespectWorkers

Global: Protecting workers in the workplace: Protect workers both now and after lockdowns ease, says ILO

The International Labour Organization warns that without adequate safeguards for returning workers there could be a second wave of the virus.

Press release | 28 April 2020

All employers need to carry out risk assessments and ensure their workplaces meet strict occupational safety and health criteria beforehand, to minimize the risk to workers of exposure to COVID-19, says the ILO.

Without such controls, countries face the very real risk of a resurgence of the virus. Putting in place the necessary measures will minimize the risk of a second wave of contagion contracted at the workplace.

“In the face of an infectious disease outbreak, how we protect our workers now clearly dictates how safe our communities are, and how resilient our businesses will be, as this pandemic evolves.”

Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General

“The safety and health of our entire workforce is paramount today. In the face of an infectious disease outbreak, how we protect our workers now clearly dictates how safe our communities are, and how resilient our businesses will be, as this pandemic evolves,” said the Director-General of the ILO, Guy Ryder.

“It is only by implementing occupational safety and health measures that we can protect the lives of workers, their families and the larger communities, ensure work continuity and economic survival,” Ryder added.

In particular, risk control measures should be specifically adapted to the needs of workers at the frontline of the pandemic. These include health workers, nurses, doctors and emergency workers, as well as those in food retail and cleaning services.

The ILO also highlighted the needs of the most vulnerable workers and businesses, in particular those in the informal economy, migrant and domestic workers. Measures to protect these workers should include – among others – education and training on safe and healthy work practices, free provision of PPE as needed, access to public health services and livelihood alternatives.

“On World Day for Safety and Health at Work, I call on all countries to assure well-defined, decent and safe working conditions for all health workers.”

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for strong national programmes to protect the health and safety of health workers, medical professionals, emergency responders, and the many other workers risking their lives on our behalf,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “On World Day for Safety and Health at Work, I call on all countries to assure well-defined, decent and safe working conditions for all health workers.”

To ensure a safe return to work and to avoid further work disruptions, the ILO recommends:

  • Mapping hazards and assessing risks of contagion in relation to all work operations, and continuing to assess them following a return to work.
  • Adopting risk control measures adapted to each sector and the specifics of each workplace and workforce. These may include:

– Reducing physical interactions between workers, contractors, customers and visitors and respecting physical distancing when any interactions occur.
– Improving ventilation in the workplace.
– Regularly cleaning surfaces, ensuring workplaces are clean and hygienic, and providing adequate facilities for handwashing and sanitization.

  • Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to workers where necessary and at no cost.
  • Providing arrangements for isolating suspected cases and tracing every contact.
  • Providing mental health support for staff.
  • Providing training, education and informational material about health and safety at work, including proper hygiene practices and the use of any workplace controls (including PPE).

https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_742898/lang–en/index.htm

28 April: Wales: TfW marks International Workers’ Memorial Day

Transport for Wales is marking International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) in solidarity with its trade union partners.

Every year, the trade union movement unites to remember those who have lost their lives at work, or from work-related injury and illnesses. This year is particularly poignant due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, in which key workers including TfW colleagues continue to work on the front-line, risking their lives to keep the country moving.

At 11:00 on 28 April, TfW colleagues throughout Wales and the Borders will be taking part in a minute’s silence to remember those who have lost their lives, and to pay tribute to those undertaking vital front-line work on rail services and in other industries.

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO said:

“On International Workers’ Memorial Day, we are proud at TfW to stand with our trade union partners and remember those who have lost their lives.

“We are currently facing testing times and our front-line staff are continuously showing dedication and courage to help assist the country.  I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all and to also extend my thanks to other key workers across different industries.” 

https://news.tfwrail.wales/news/tfw-marks-international-workers-memorial-day

UK: Stop the pandemic at work, say retail workers – USDAW

Every year April 28 is International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD). This is the international trade union day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work. The focus this year is of course the global COVID-19 pandemic. While everyone is affected by the crisis, many workers are on the frontline.

For #IWMD20 Usdaw is highlighting the risks many frontline workers are taking to help keep the rest of us safe and healthy. Healthcare workers in particular are risking their lives doing their job to take care of the sick. Many others like Usdaw members in supermarkets and delivering the food supply chain are providing essential services and deserve our thanks for everything they are doing. We urge the public to observe a one-minute silence at 11am on 28 April to remember those workers we’ve lost to Covid-19.

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “More people are killed at work than in wars. They die because their safety just wasn’t that important a priority. So on 28 April we ‘remember the dead and fight for the living’ by highlighting our all year round campaigning for better health and safety at work.

“Shopworkers and their colleagues in the retail food supply chain are on the frontline of feeding the country during the current crisis. They are providing an essential service in very difficult circumstances, working long hours in busy stores, facing abuse from customers and of course concerned they may contract Covid-19.

“This year we should take time to recognise the heroic efforts they are making in very difficult circumstances, alongside many other frontline workers. We particularly want to pay tribute to the brave healthcare workers and the extreme risks they have to work with. A one-minute silence at 11am tomorrow for those we’ve lost would be a fitting tribute.

“Usdaw continues to work with employers to improve health and safety for staff, particularly those dealing directly with the public. We also call on customers to stay calm, respect shopworkers and practise the necessary hygiene measures to help limit the spread of the virus. We all have to work together to get through this crisis.

“Strong unions are the best protection for workers. Workplaces that have strong union representation typically have much lower fatality, injury and ill-health rates than those that do not. Research in this country and abroad has shown repeatedly that unions make a difference.”

Workers’ Memorial Day – Stop the pandemic at work: www.ituc-csi.org/28April2020

TUC campaign: www.tuc.org.uk/workers-memorial-day

USDAW – Stop the pandemic at work and remember those we’ve lost says Usdaw on International Workers’ Memorial Day

Colombian unions tackle status of construction work

(INTERGREMIAL) held its first online meeting to share and discuss perspectives on the current status of construction work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. #BWI2020IWMD #iwmd20

Full story here.

 

Remember the dead, fight like hell for the living