Hunter Workers is preparing to host two major events in as many days from this weekend.

The organisation will stage International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD) in Newcastle on Sunday 28 April, followed by an Asbestos and Silicosis Summit 24 hours later.

The commemorative gathering at Foreshore Park, from noon, pays respect to employees who have been killed, injured or made ill by their work in the past year.

Sadly, on average, 180 Australian workers die on the job annually.

A significant increase in workplace deaths saw 195 people killed due to traumatic injuries in 2022.

Over the past decade, to December 2023, the tally sits at 1,850, with more than 1,140,000 serious workers compensation made.

And, as of March 2023, 23 employees have lost their lives.

“International Workers Memorial Day is a time to mourn workers killed,” Hunter Workers secretary Leigh Shears said.

“It’s also an opportunity to reflect on work that’s needed to ensure safer workplaces to prevent injury, illness and fatalities.”

Wreaths will be laid at the Foreshore Park Workers Memorial Stone, accompanied by the Mineworkers Piper playing Flowers of the Forest.

Speakers include Mr Shears, Newcastle CFMEU construction division regional organiser Mark Cross, Newcastle AMWU lead organiser Tim Ferguson and Injured Workers Campaign Network member Fred Smedes.

A poem reading of My Work Was Never Done, by women’s committee president Teresa Hetherington, concludes the service.

“The numbers and experience of families, work mates and our communities don’t lie,” Mr Shears said.

“The rate of death and serious injury in workplaces continues to be of significant concern deserving a greater focus to turn these incident figures around.

“No worker should go to work not knowing if they will return home.

“In 2012, the previous Liberal/Nationals NSW Government guttered the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme, leaving thousands of injured workers with limited access to much-needed protections and supports to adequately address injuries and illness created by their employment.

“The then Labor Opposition committed to scraping it, establishing a worker-centric strategy that recognised the hardship created by workplace injury and illness and the need for adequate health and income assistance.

“It’s time for the new government to get moving on their commitment.”

Mr Feguson said the AMWU had long campaigned for safer workplaces.

“On IWMD, a day where we stop and pause to mourn those who didn’t make it home from work, or workers who perished years after being exposed to toxic environments at their workplaces, through cancer or other illnesses, we also refocus on the fight that remains ahead of us as the working class,” he explained.

“While we’ve had wins over the past 12 months such as an 80% reduction of the welding fumes workplace exposure standard (WES) to 1mg/m3, we still need Safework NSW to be rebuilt into an effective regulator.

“It must proactively work to protect workers by stepping out of the shadows of the bosses and actively seek to prosecute companies who treat worker safety with contempt.

“Furthermore, we’re still campaigning – Kill A Worker, Go To Jail – to achieve the strongest industrial manslaughter laws in the country under the NSW Government… because every workplace death is preventable.”

As part of IWMD 2024 events, Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia (ADFA) will conduct an Asbestos and Silicosis Summit on Monday 29 April at Souths Leagues Club Merewether.

International Workers Memorial Day

• When: Sunday 28 April
• Where: Wharf Road Newcastle (next to Merchant Seamens Memorial)
• Time: Noon

Asbestos and Silicosis Summit

• When: Monday 29 April
• Where: Souths Leagues Club, Merewether
• Time: 10am-2pm

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