A moving ceremony was held in Forfar today (Monday 28 April), to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day, bringing together community members, trade unions, elected representatives and young people to remember those who have lost their lives due to work-related accidents and diseases and to fight for safe and healthy working conditions for working people throughout the world.
Held at the International Workers Memorial Tree and Bench at Forfar Community Campus, the event featured speeches from Angus Council Leader Cllr George Meechan, Roy Beedie from UNISON and George Ramsay from UNITE, as well as a wreath-laying ceremony and music from piper Alex Link from Webster’s High School.
Attendees marked the event with a minute’s silence to reflect on the human cost of unsafe workplaces and to reaffirm the commitment to improving health and safety for workers worldwide.
Speaking at the event, Angus Council Leader Cllr George Meechan said:
“This annual event is a reminder that behind every workplace fatality is a family, a community and a loss that could have been prevented. We stand here not only to remember but to reaffirm our collective commitment to safer, healthier working environments for everyone.”
Chris Boyle, UNISON Angus Branch secretary stated:
“Each year, International Workers’ Memorial Day is the time to remember those who have died either because of a workplace accident, ill health or diseases as a result of work. The strapline for our commemoration, and indeed every commemoration across the world is ‘remember the dead and fight for the living’.
“And on this day, Local Government Trade Union UNISON Angus join with fellow trade unions, the EIS, Unite, GMB and SSTA, and Angus Council to provide a tribute to workers who have lost their lives through simply by being at work. We gather at the specially planted tree, surrounded by a commemorative tree guard, and next to a bench, both designed by pupils at Forfar Academy to remember those workers.”
Ian Tasker, Senior Advice Worker, Scottish Hazards said:
“This was my first time attending the event in Forfar. It was an outstanding and moving memorial, organised by Angus Council, young people and trade unions. Thanks to everyone involved.”