International Workers’ Memorial Day
International Workers’ Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of workers who have been injured or lost their lives at the workplace.
The day is an opportunity to honour and remember these workers and renew the call for safe workplaces in a commitment to fight for the living.
As at 23 March 2018, there have been 27 Australian workers killed at work, while in 2017, 181 Australian workers were killed at work.
Our union reaffirms our commitment to fighting for the improvement of occupational health and safety standards for all workers.
Workplace deaths are unfortunately not always due to tragic accident, but to negligence and lack of Workplace Health and Safety compliance.
Fatalities, accidents and illness at work are highly preventable and employers have an obligation to act.
Union members have fought for and won many protections for workers to make the guarantee of coming home safe a reality — winning protections that have made jobs safer, saved hundreds of thousands of lives and prevented many more injuries and illnesses in the workplace.
However, some employers continue to cut corners and violate the law, contracting out work to avoid responsibility, or firing or disciplining workers who speak out.
IEUA-QNT Chapters will mark the day on Friday 27 April.
In Brisbane, family, friends and colleagues who have lost someone dear through a workplace death — as well as union members, delegates and community members — are invited to a special memorial ceremony that will be held 10am Friday, 27 April at Emma Miller Place, Roma Street, Brisbane.
For more information, read the International Workers' Memorial Day Chapter Briefing.
