Workers killed at work to be remembered in Inverness
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A gathering will take place by the River Ness tomorrow to remember those who have been killed or injured through work.
It is part of a series of events across the world to mark the annual Workers' Memorial Day.
The Inverness event will take place at the workers' memorial at Friars Shott in Huntly Street. Workers and members of the public are asked to gather from 11.30am.
The evocative Caithness stone structure, which incorporates seating, was installed two years ago and was funded by the trade union movement, the Inverness Common Good Fund, Highland Council’s ward discretionary budget and private contributions. .
It is understood to be the only such memorial with an English inscription – Remember The Dead – Fight For The Living – plus Gaelic wording.
As well as remembering the dead, Workers' Memorial Day also highlights the fight for the living.
This year's theme is “Dangerous substances – get them out of the workplace”.
The focus will mainly be on carcinogens but will also highlight other substances which can cause illnesses such as asthma or dermatitis.
According to the International Labour Organisation, one worker dies every 15 seconds worldwide while 6000 workers die every day.
Workers suffer about 270 million accidents each year and fall victim to 160 million incidents of work-related illnesses
The number of workers killed by hazardous substances totals 440,000 each year with asbestos claiming 100,000 lives.
Pat Rafferty, Scotland secretary of the trade union, Unite, said his organisation was proud to support and promote events all across Scotland.
"The events are an opportunity for working people and the public more generally to remember those who have lost their lives at work, or through exposure to an industrial disease like asbestosis have suffered and died in the years after their working lives," he said.
"We are duty bound to fight and campaign for better protection, safety and regulation in the world of work, and in doing so while we rightly honour the dead we also fight for the living.”
