International Workers Memorial Day – Monday 28 April

The 28th of April marks International Workers’ Memorial Day.

It is an international day where unions, workers and their families and communities around the world join together to remember those who have been killed or injured at work, and to reflect on the importance of health and safety in the workplace.

Each year an international theme is chosen. This year, the theme is ‘Occupational health and safety: A fundamental right at work’ with an explicit focus on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation of occupational health and safety.

We will remember those who have died at work or from work-related causes with a moving ceremony in Argyle Square.

Please join us in remembering the dead, and fighting like hell for the living.

Every year, too many workers are killed or injured just for doing their jobs. On International Workers Memorial Day, we gather to honour those we’ve lost — and recommit ourselves to the fight for safe workplaces for everyone.

Join us for a series of memorial events:

9:30am – Workers Rally
Tarntanyannga/Victoria Square
Stand in solidarity with workers and unionists to demand action on workplace safety.
Hear from families and advocates, and join us for a minute’s silence and honour guard for those taken too soon.

10:00am – Memorial Service
Pilgrim Uniting Church, hosted by Voices of Industrial Death.

1:00pm – Memorial Forest Service
Deceased Workers Memorial Forest, corner of Park Tce & Port Rd, hosted by SA Unions.
A space for quiet reflection and remembrance.
Remember the fallen, fight like hell for the living.

Join us on the solemn occasion of Workers’ Memorial Day as we gather to honor and remember those who have tragically lost their lives or suffered injuries and illnesses on the job.

A remembrance service will be held for those who have died or been injured at work. Moments of reflection, calls to action for stricter health and safety regulations, and a collective resolve to ensure such tragedies are never repeated. After the formal proceedings, attendees will have the opportunity to lay wreaths at the memorial wall.

Every year on International Workers Memorial Day, workers, unions and communities gather to remember those who have tragically lost their lives at work. UnionsACT invites you to join us on the 28th April at 9am to a commemorative service to honour those who were killed or seriously injured while on the job.

#internationalworkersmemorialday2025

We invite community members to join us at this year’s International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) service in Launceston.
IWMD is observed annually on the 28th of April. It serves as a global day of remembrance and action for workers who have been killed or injured on the job, as well as an opportunity to renew our commitment to workplace health and safety.
This year is a particularly special IWMD as we will be unveiling the completion of the Workers’ Commemorative Park (also commonly referred to as the Workers’ Memorial Park) in Invermay
(outside UTAS Stadium).
The Park, which was first opened in 2011 but only partially complete, has been a long project of Unions Tasmania and Guy and Karen Hudson whose son Matthew was killed at work 20 years ago.
It has now been completed to its original design, made possible by Federal and State government funding and contributions from Unions Tasmania and affiliates.
It will live as a poignant reminder of the human impact of a death at work.
We will hold a short service and provide a free BBQ breakfast. We encourage people to spend time wandering the park and contemplating its importance. We will also unveil details of how families who lost a loved one at work can have them recognised at the Park.
Please share this important event with your friends and family, and if you haven’t attended a service before, consider making this your first one.

You are invited to the International Day of Mourning Service with families and friends who have lost loved ones as a result of workplace incidents or occupational illnesses at work.

This year service will be held at 12pm on Monday, 28 April 2025 at Reflection Park in Darling Harbour ( Little Pier Street, Haymarket).

*please arrive a bit earlier to allow time for seating before the service starts at 12:15 pm.*

If you are not able to attend in person, a livestream service is available for your convenience. You can watch it here: https://www.unionsnsw.livewebcast.com.au/.

After the service, a light lunch will be served at Unions NSW Trades Hall – Atrium, Ground floor, 4-10 Goulburn Street, Sydney.