Construction union UCATT is organising an event in London to mark this year's International Workers Memorial Day on Monday 28th April.

The event will take the form of a ceremony including wreath laying at the Building Workers Statue next to the Tower of London. The keynote speaker will be Steve Murphy, General Secretary of UCATT.

Monday 28th April

The Building Worker Statue

Next to the Tower of London

Nearest tube station – Tower Hill

10.30am

Jerry Swain, Regional Secretary for UCATT London and South East, said: "Workers Memorial Day is a very important day in the calendar of construction workers it is when workers come together to remember their colleagues who were killed or injured at work."


Construction is the most dangerous industry in the UK. In 2012/13 (the most recent figures available) 8 construction workers were killed in London. There is growing evidence that deaths are increasing, as the industry is rapidly expanding following the recession. The latest fatality in London occurred on 14th April when Danius Rupsys was killed on a McGee’s site in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair.

Following every previous recession as the industry has recovered deaths have increased. UCATT fear that death rates could be even higher on this occasion due to the Health and Safety Executive having its budget reduced by 35% and a series of attacks on health and safety laws by the current Government.

(CD)