International Workers’ Memorial Day 2026

Motion Text

That this House marks International Workers’ Memorial Day 2026; remembers all those who have been killed, injured or made ill as a result of their work; sends solidarity to bereaved families, injured workers and all those living with work-related illness; recognises the vital role of trade unions, health and safety representatives and organised workplaces in preventing injury, illness and death at work; notes with concern that too many workers continue to face unsafe conditions, violence at work, stress, insecure employment and exposure to dangerous substances including asbestos; believes that no worker should have to risk their health, safety or life simply to earn a living; further believes that health and safety protections are a fundamental workers’ right and not a burden to be weakened; calls on the Government to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive is properly funded, staffed and empowered to inspect, enforce and prosecute where necessary; further calls for stronger protections for workers facing violence, harassment and unsafe staffing levels; also calls on the Government to implement the Employment Rights Act 2025 in full and without delay, ensuring that its protections are delivered in practice for workers across the UK; and joins the trade union movement in saying, remember the dead, fight for the living.