Council joins tributes on International Workers Memorial Day

Leeds City Council has today joined the tributes taking place across the world to mark International Workers Memorial Day.

Taking place on April 28, the day remembers those who have lost their lives at work, or from work-related injury and diseases. 

This year, people have been invited to light a candle or post a message on social media remembering a lost colleague or friend or relative.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “In the past few weeks we have seen some extraordinary, heartfelt expressions of pride, support and solidarity across the nation for the key workers putting their health and lives on the line in the fight against coronavirus.

“The fact the public have remained so determined to pay tribute to their efforts in the midst of these challenging times is testament to the level of appreciation people have for the risks which can be faced in the workplace and the empathy they have for those who go the extra mile in the course of their jobs.

“Now more than ever on IWMD,  it is fitting that we join together in paying tribute to those keeping us all safe today as we also remember the sacrifices made by those who have lost their lives or suffered injuries in the past and pledge to do all we can to keep each other safe in the future."

Tom Riordan CBE, chief executive of Leeds City Council said: "International Workers’ Memorial Day is always a stark reminder of the risks people can face in doing their job, and the duty employers have to minimise that risk.  This year, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, those risks are more visible than ever and perhaps better understood and appreciated by everyone.  Like many cities, Leeds has embraced the #ClapForCarers weekly event, and people have given an emotional and heartfelt public thanks to everyone who is working to keep us safe and keep the city going.  Like many cities, Leeds has also sadly lost colleagues who have died through coming into contact with the virus while doing that work.  I offer my deepest condolences to their families and friends and, on #IWMD20, pledge to continue to work with trades unions in the city to do everything we can to keep all workers safe from harm."

Neil Evans Leeds City Council's director of resources and housing said: "Leeds City Council staff are performing essential roles during this pandemic, including in social care, children’s residential settings, schools, waste collection and many other front line services. They have responded amazingly to the challenge.  Thousands of other staff are adapting to working from home, and others have stepped forward to cover essential tasks where colleagues are self-isolating or to offer new services such as emergency food provision.  Protecting staff, so they in turn can protect and help the public, has never been so important as we mark #IWMD20.  The TUC uses the words – Remember the Dead and Fight for the Living. Let’s do that today by looking after each other better.

Councillor James Lewis, deputy leader of Leeds City Council added: "As a councillor and a deputy leader our focus has been on Leeds at this time of enormous difficulty, and as this is International Workers’ Memorial Day we should remember the front line workers in our city who have come here from around the world and are undertaking so many vital jobs. A poignant campaign on UK social media has made the point that nations are cheering and clapping migrant workers without distinction. It can often take a crisis to change hearts and minds, and that is summed up in the #IWMD20 idea of ‘organising in their memory’: making a positive and lasting difference to honour those we have failed.  I hope that we can all learn from the current situation and that the rights, safety, and lives, of all workers will benefit as a result."

ENDS