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A commemorative event was held in Dublin on Thursday, 29 April, to remember the people killed and injured through workplace accidents, to mark Workers Memorial Day Ireland.
The memorial ceremony took place at the Royal Hibernian Academy and attended by the Government, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Congress), the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Ibec and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
The Government was represented by newly elected senator Gerald Nash, former acting Minister for Business and Employment. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions was represented by general secretary Patricia King, IMPACT was represented by deputy general secretary Kevin Callinan.
Mr Callinan said: "It's vital that in commemorating those who have died or who've been injured in the workplace we commit ourselves to making a safer workplace for all workers. This is a central value to the trade union movement. As employment is once again growing in Ireland, we need to ensure that our collective vigilance, safety standards and appropriate resources are committed to making sure every worker operates in a safe environment."
The memorial event is one of many taking place worldwide to mark International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers. Trade unions in more than 70 countries are marking the International Commemoration Day with a demand for ‘Strong laws, Strong enforcement and Strong unions' as the only way to stop the carnage at work.
In the 10 year period between 2006 and 2015, 526 people were killed in work related accidents in Ireland and many thousands more badly injured. On average, more than one person a week died in work related accidents in Ireland in 2015, 56 deaths in total, with many more injured. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has said that globally, one worker dies every 15 seconds due to employer negligence
Employers were represented at the event by the Construction Industry Federation and Ibec. The Health and Safety Authority was represented by assistant chief executive Brian Higgisson. The senior executives of each organisation jointly signed a letter promoting the commemorative day along with key safety, health and accident prevention messages.
(MH/CD)
