According to the STUC, every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don't die of mystery ailments, or in tragic "accidents". They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn't that important a priority. Workers’ Memorial Day commemorates those workers. Worker’s Memorial Day is held on 28 April every year, all over the world workers and their representatives conduct events, demonstrations, vigils and a whole host of other activities to mark the day.
The day is also intended to serve as a rallying cry to “remember the dead, but fight like hell for the living”.
Earlier today in Dundee, I attended the eighteenth Workers' Memorial Lecture. This had been organised by Dundee City Council in conjunction with Workplace Chaplaincy Scotland. Each year a guest speaker is invited to address an audience representing all sections of the community on a general health and safety theme. This year's lecture was delivered by Professor Annie Anderson, Professor of Food Choice and Director of the Centre for Research into Cancer Prevention and Screening at the University of Dundee. Her informative and wide ranging lecture was entitled 'Food Futures - the health of the population and the planet'.
