WORKERS MEMORIAL

26 April 2007

South Australians are being urged to come along to a memorial ceremony at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral, to mark International Workers Memorial Day for dead and injured workers.

A joint initiative of SA Unions, the heads of Christian Churches, the Council of Churches, Safework SA, the SA Asbestos Coalition and VOID (Victims of Industrial Deaths), it is intended that the memorial become an annual event.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says it's an opportunity to collectively remember the sacrifices made by workers.

"Not only can people pay their respects by honouring the memory of the departed, but they are also making a public gesture in support of safer work practices".

"No job is worth a person's life. We say that for those who have died, their sacrifice should not be in vain. Their legacy will be a growing public movement for tough standards."

President of VOID, Andrea Madeley describes the inaugural memorial service as an important event.

"We hope to see many family members join us, and regard this memorial as something of a give to the families of the departed - it is giving families a strong sense that the person they have lost is important enough to be publicly remembered."

"Soldiers who died in times of war are remembered for their sacrifice - and while perhaps less glorious, those who die in the workplace should be remembered for the contribution they have made to building our country."

Amongst those to be remembered is Andrea's son Daniel, who lost his life in an industrial accident at an Edwardstown factory."

An average of 24 people die in SA each year from workplace accidents, and hundreds others succumb to industrial disease and injuries.

Ms Giles reserved special thanks to the Catholic Church and Archbishop Philip Wilson for hosting the memorial at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral (Friday 27 April). There will be a symbolic release of balloons with the them "bound for heaven", with people able to attach a personal message to each balloon before they are released.