Workers' Memorial Day

Submitted by Anon on 1 May, 2003 - 11:20

By Paul Hampton

Nearly 100 people marched through "murder mile" in London to commemorate Workers' Memorial Day on 28 April.
Trade unionists and campaigners rallied at Spital Square, where speakers described the worldwide death toll of 2 million workers killed every year by work. Tony O'Brien from the Construction Safety Campaign and Mick Holder from the London Hazards Centre spoke of the deaths in the construction industry, both on the job and from asbestos.

Nicola Parsons, whose brother Stephen was killed at work aged 18, spoke of her determination to get changes in the law to prosecute negligent bosses. This theme was echoed by Dave Joyce from the communication workers' union CWU and by speakers from building union UCATT.

Campaigners then marched behind a hearse to Mansion House. The march passed a number of sites were workers had been killed at work - the City of London is one of the most dangerous places to work in the country. Banners from T&G Region 1, Unison, Battersea and Wandsworth Trades Council, No Sweat and the Construction Safety Campaign were represented.

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