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Renfrewshire marks International Workers’ Memorial Day
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Renfrewshire Council has teamed up with Paisley and District Trades Union Council to support an international campaign for safer and healthier working environments.
International Workers' Memorial Day, held annually on April 28, also commemorates over one million people across the world who are killed each year at their place of work.
International Workers' Memorial Day, held annually on April 28, also commemorates over one million people across the world who are killed each year at their place of work.
To mark the event, flags flew at half mast at Renfrewshire House, the headquarters building of Renfrewshire Council, in Cotton Street, Paisley.
Renfrewshire Council leader Derek Mackay joined councillors and union representatives for a short ceremony in front of the council headquarters at a stone cairn erected in memory of workers killed or injured at work.
Councillor Mackay said: "There is a growing recognition of the need for joint international action to tackle the corruption or lack of regulation which routinely endangers millions of workers."
"I am proud to give Renfrewshire Council's support to this vital campaign, and to join with local and international organisations to raise awareness of the human and social cost of unsafe working environments."
Councillor Mackay added: "This isn't just a problem in other countries. Renfrewshire Council has given its backing to the campaign to secure compensation for workers who developed pleural plaques often years after the end of their employment."
Eric Blackburn, chairperson of Paisley and District Trades Council, said: "At a time when trades unions are pressing for government to recognise International Workers Memorial Day as a national day of remembrance for those who are killed, injured or made ill by their work, it was gratifying to have the leader of Renfrewshire Council join in our local ceremony."
"We call on everyone to take note of the campaign's slogan: 'Remember the dead, fight for the living'."
Press release: Tuesday 29 April 2008
