Trade unions in the Scotland are calling on MPs, MSPs and employers to formally commemorate the two million people killed globally each year as a result of work.
Despite April 28 having been designated International Workers Memorial Day by trade unions worldwide since 1990, the Scottish Executive and UK Government have failed to mark the day.
Now the STUC is urging the new Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament to take the initiative and take immediate steps formally recognise International Workers Memorial Day after the elections next week.
Grahame Smith, General Secretary of the Scottish TUC, said: "On April 28 we're remembering the dead and fighting for the living. We think the best way to do this is by campaigning for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches in health and safety laws."
“We welcome the moves by Glasgow City Council, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Councils and others to work with the trade union movement to establish permanent memorials in their local authorities”.
“This year has seen a tremendous and very welcome increase in the number of events taking place throughout Scotland but we have to move towards the 28 April being a national day of mourning and Scotland can take the lead on this important issue”
Health and Safety Executive figures show that last year 220 people died of injuries sustained at work whilst almost 1,900 died of asbestos cancer mesothelioma and 6,000 from all occupational cancers.
Estimates by other authorities put the figures much higher - 50,000 deaths for illnesses caused or exacerbated by work - while the HSE statistics omit the largest cause of work-related deaths: road traffic accidents which involve people driving as part of their work.
Grahame Smith said: "Whatever the true figures, the fact is that work has a major effect on public health, injury and death, and a great deal more needs to be done to prevent this.
"The costs of work-related ill-health, injury and death are borne by the individuals, their families and the state and not by the employers who caused the problems."
Ends
For further information contact Ian Tasker 0141 337 8100
Note for Editors
Events taking place in Scotland to mark International Workers Memorial Day
Trade Union Council Events
Friday 27th April
Fife Commemoration, Workers Memorial Tree, Beveridge Memorial Park Kirkcaldy 11.00 am Reception at Adam Smith Centre 12.00 noon
Saturday 28th April
Aberdeen 10.00 am coach leaves Marischal College for Persley Memorial Gardens for commemoration. 11.00 am Coach departs for Rubislaw gardens 11.30 am March towards Union Street gathering at Castlegate for speeches
Clydebank Gathering at Solidarity Plaza, Dumbarton Road (Opposite Clydebank Town Hall) at 12.00 noon
Dumfries Assemble 12.00 noon at the Burns Statue (High Street, Dumfries)
Dundee Commemoration Workers Memorial Tree Riverside Drive adjacent to Discovery Point
Kilmarnock Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock (Meet at Dower House)10.30 am. Tree planting ceremony.
Edinburgh Commemoration Workers memorial and garden West Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh (Near Ross Band Stand) 12.00 noon to 12.45pm
Glasgow Commemoration Burns Memorial George Square Glasgow 1.00 pm
Paisley Commemoration Memorial plaque Abbey Grounds Paisley 12.00 noon
West Lothian International Workers Memorial Day Health and Safety Seminar Bathgate Sports Centre, Bathgate, West Lothian 10.00 am Commemoration 12.30 pm
Other Events Saturday 28th April
Clydebank Asbestos Group—Workers Memorial Day Conference— OCCUPATIONAL CANCER: the fight for worker’s rights—Clydebank Town Hall (Lesser Hall) 10.30 am—12.00 noon