International Workers' Memorial Day, held on 28 April every year but at HPC we will hold our vigil on the 26th in order to be inclusive to everyone at HPC. it brings together workers and their representatives from all over the world to remember the dead and fight for the living.
In 2024 the theme is: #IWMD24 | The Climate Crisis and Workers’ Health
This year, the theme will focus on exploring the impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health. Changing weather patterns have notable impacts on the world of work, particularly affecting workers' safety and health. Examples of occupational risks exacerbated by climate change include heat stress, UV radiation, air pollution, major industrial accidents, extreme weather events and increased exposure to chemicals.
Extreme weather and changing weather patterns affect job security, travel to and from work, and the general the health for workers including having a negative impact on workers' mental health. Work in extreme weather can cause fatigue and increases in workplace injuries and stress-related disease, higher UV exposures place workers at risk of chronic health problems, including skin cancer and eye damage.
This international day is marked by the union movement to remember all workers who lost their lives to workplace illness or injury, and to recommit ourselves to fighting to keep workers safe: Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living!