This week Bill hosted Scottish Hazards and the STUC at the Scottish Parliament for an event to recognise International Workers Memorial Day 2019.
Bill said in the debate that, "every year this day brings us together to remember the dead and fight for the living. It is my hope that this debate goes some way in grasping both aspects of this powerful statement that has been shared since the first Workers’ Memorial Day was held thirty years ago. We have the opportunity now to remember those who lost their lives too early and we can affirm actions taken to ensure that the mistakes or negligence that led to premature deaths are not repeated.
We are lucky to live in a country where Health and Safety is taken seriously- but the continued examples of people made ill through work and of those who have died shows us that more needs to be done. For example, it is estimated that in the UK 50,000 workers die every year from work related illnesses. Causes include cancers, lung disease, heart disease or even neurological diseases. Added to this tragic number is the 1,500 workers who die in work related incidents and accidents.
This year, unions and workers’ rights organisations will use International Workers Memorial Day to focus on the impact of dangerous chemicals in the workplace- particularly cancer causing carcinogens. By doing so, these organisations highlight that changes still need to be made and that workers’ rights must be taken seriously."
You can watch the full debate below: