27 April 2020

Aberdeenshire Council prepares to mark International Workers' Memorial Day

Aberdeenshire Council is set to join the international commemoration of International Workers’ Memorial Day tomorrow (Tuesday, April 28).

The worldwide awareness day takes place on April 28 annually to acknowledge workers around the globe who have died as a result of work-related injury or occupational illness.

This year is particularly poignant as the theme for International Workers’ Memorial Day is the Coronavirus (Covid-19), which has seen tens of thousands of workers die or become ill whilst carrying out their day-to-day duties. The slogan for this year’s annual event is ‘Remember the Dead; Fight for the Living.’

Cllr Bill Howatson, Provost of Aberdeenshire, explained: “The Coronavirus has brought into sharp focus the role our key workers have played in selflessly looking after others during the pandemic.

“At the very least we can collectively say ‘thank you’ by taking a moment to commemorate their fantastic efforts in caring for your family and friends during these unprecedented times by acknowledging their courage, care and commitment tomorrow for International Workers’ Memorial Day.”

“In general, we should also applaud all workers who have had to adapt quickly to working from home often juggling their daily work with childcare commitments or coming to terms with completing tasks in isolation. Tomorrow is for you as well.”

Aberdeenshire Council will be marking International Workers’ Memorial Day by observing the national one minute silence at 11am tomorrow.

You can show your support on social media by using the #IWMD20 hashtag.