Manchester WMD Event Held In Pouring Rain

Workers Memorial Day held yesterday 28th April saw a rally in Manchester to commemorate people who have died at work and highlight the health and safety issues concerned.

Banners at the WMD event in ManchesterThe event in Manchester's Peace Gardens was one of several marking International Workers Memorial Day held within the North West, under the banner  ‘Remember the dead - fight for the living'.

 Health and Safety Executive officla figures show that 241 people were killed at work last year. But campaigners say this only covers employees killed and claim the number is nearer 1,600 when members of the public and work-related traffic accidents are included.

Neil Hope-Collins, from union Prospect, said: "It's no good the Health and Safety Executive and ministers telling us the same old lines about how the UK's record is better than other countries. Why should we be satisfied that however many new families have lost loved ones, there are even more families abroad who have suffered in the same way? The point surely is that people are still dying at work."

Campaigners said 50,000 people die from work-related diseases a year, including 5,000 from asbestos.

Elaine Haskins, from the Manchester Asbestos Victim Support Group, said: "Asbestos is a hidden killer, just one small fibre can kill you. In the UK it can still be present in buildings built before the year 2000."

Musician Claire Mooney opened and closed the event with songs dedicated to those fighting for justice and families laid wreaths in the garden.

Manchester’s Channel M TV station also ran a video piece of the event which can be accessed here

Source: Manchester Evening News / Channel M

 
 
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