Steve Fitzpatrick, the General Secretary of the CWU speaking on Workers Memorial Day stated
“On Workers Memorial Day we remember all of those who have been killed, disabled or injured at work. The theme for Workers’ Memorial Day this year is “Workplace Health and Safety – its Your Right”. The Trade Union movement has provided strong leadership throughout this pandemic in doing everything possible to protect workers. COVID 19 has highlighted the requirement for strong and robust health and safety policies. Last year 53 people died as a result of accidents at work. This is the highest figure for a number of years and happened while a substantial part of our economic activity was closed. This figure does not include the countless workers in Ireland and across the world who died as a result of COVID 19. With the ongoing COVID 19 restrictions the CWU through its involvement in the ICTU Health and Safety Committee has organised a number of online events including an online broadcast via the Congress website and social media, which will include a wreath-laying at the Garden of Remembrance, an emotional poem about loss recited by front-line healthcare workers, and a message from Dr Mike Ryan of WHO. On this day let us take the opportunity to particularly remember all those front line workers who on a daily basis put themselves at risk and have worked with such dedication throughout the pandemic.”
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