Workers’ Memorial Day | History, Activities

 Workers’ Memorial Day

Labourers work at the coastal road construction site, in Mumbai, India, 14 October, 2022.(Getty)

Every year on April 28th, Workers' Memorial Day is observed as a global day of remembrance for workers who have lost their lives or suffered injuries on the job. The day serves as a reminder of the crucial importance of workplace safety and health.

Workers' Memorial Day was initially introduced in Canada during the early 1980s, with labor unions initiating annual ceremonies to honor workers who had died or been injured at work. Later on, other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia adopted the commemoration.

Various events and activities are held on Workers' Memorial Day, including candlelight vigils, moments of silence, and laying of wreaths. The day also provides an opportunity for unions, worker organizations, and safety advocates to demand more rigorous workplace safety regulations and hold employers accountable for failing to provide secure working environments.

The theme for the 2023 Workers' Memorial Day is "Safe and Healthy Workplaces: A Fundamental Right." The aim is to promote the right of all employees to work in a safe and healthy environment and to advocate for stronger enforcement and regulations to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

Workers’ Memorial Day History

During the 1970s, labor unions and worker advocacy groups in the United States and Canada started organizing events and protests to demand safer working conditions and better health and safety protections for workers. The United States' landmark event was the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in 1970, which established a national framework for workplace safety and health regulations and enforcement. However, the law faced strong opposition from employers and politicians, and it took years of activism and advocacy by unions and workers' organizations to push for stronger protections and better enforcement.

Installing Steel Reinforcement Bars for Concrete Foundation at High-rise Building Site(Getty)

In Canada, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) was among the first organizations to hold a national Workers' Memorial Day ceremony in 1984, following the death of four workers in a chemical plant explosion. The event was scheduled for April 28th, which coincides with the anniversary of the Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Act's passage.

As the observance extended to other countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, it transformed into a global day of remembrance for workers who died or were injured on the job. The day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the significance of workplace safety and health and to demand stronger regulations and enforcement to protect workers from hazards and prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

Nowadays, Workers' Memorial Day is commemorated on April 28th in many countries globally, and it remains a critical time for workers, unions, and safety advocates to honor those who lost their lives on the job and strive for safer and healthier workplaces.

Workers’ Memorial Day activities

Workers’ Memorial Day is observed annually on April 28th to honor workers who have died or have been injured on the job. Here are some activities that are typically organized to commemorate this day:

Observance of a moment of silence: 

Many workplaces observe a moment of silence at noon on April 28th to remember those who have lost their lives on the job.

Candlelight vigil: 

Some organizations and unions hold candlelight vigils to honor workers who have died on the job.

Public rallies and marches: 

Workers and supporters may organize public rallies and marches to bring attention to workplace safety issues and to demand better protection for workers.

Memorial services and ceremonies: 

Various religious and community groups may organize memorial services and ceremonies to pay tribute to workers who have lost their lives or have been injured on the job.

Virtual events: 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many events may be held virtually to promote social distancing. These may include webinars, online meetings, and virtual memorials.

Advocacy and awareness campaigns:

 Many organizations use Workers’ Memorial Day as an opportunity to advocate for better workplace safety laws and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting workers’ rights.

Overall, Workers’ Memorial Day provides an opportunity for workers, unions, and advocates to come together to remember those who have lost their lives on the job and to demand better protections for all workers.