International Workers' Memorial Day 28 April 2021

Our Ref: HSR/4/14
Head Office Circular: NP/72/21
3rd March 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES
ALL REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY: 28th APRIL 2021
REMEMBER THE DEAD – FIGHT LIKE HELL FOR THE LIVING

The global union confederation, ITUC, has announced the theme for 28th April 2021: Health and Safety is a fundamental right at work.
Every year on April 28th International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) commemorates workers who are killed or injured at work, when all around the world the trade union movement unites remember those who have lost their lives at work, or are made ill from work-related injury and diseases.

Never before has IWMD been more important. This year, the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed an occupational health crisis in workplaces worldwide. Workers have been routinely denied even basic health and safety protections, consultation with safety reps and safety committees on ‘Covid-safe’ policies and practices in some industries has been non-existent, enforcement of h&s legislation has been as disgrace. These same problems existed before the pandemic and resulted in the death of millions of workers worldwide. The pandemic demonstrates why health and safety must be a right for everyone who works.

Suggestions as to how to take part:
Organise an online campaign. Host a video call or webinar. Organise a socially distanced event at your workplace to promote members health and safety issues. If you have vacancies for health and safety representatives in your workplace, contact RMT members who you know would make great
Safety reps and encourage them to take up the role.
Support the bereaved
As we come together to remember those who have lost their lives, as RMT activists we can also reach out to support those experiencing grief.

Please see the TUC IWMD web page https://www.tuc.org.uk/international-workers-memorial-day-iwmd which gets regularly updated with details of local and national events.

Never before has the slogan for Workers Memorial Day been more appropriate:
Remember the dead – but fight like hell for the living.

Please make the contents of this Circular available to all appropriate members.

Yours sincerely

Mick Cash
General Secretary