WORKERS gathered at the Wales TUC headquarters in Cardiff yesterday, alongside First Minister Vaughan Gething, to lay wreaths on Workers’ Memorial Day. 

The WTUC was honouring those killed at work a week before the day is officially marked on April 28 and trade unionists turned out for the sombre commemoration at a memorial stone outside Transport House.

Mr Gething said the labour movement uses events like this to deliver justice for workers, but it was also the anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence. 

He said: “Stephen was killed 31 years ago today and I pay tribute to the trade union movement for its vital support for the Lawrence family campaign for justice for Stephen.”

The First Minister added: “Extreme weather conditions are difficult for everybody but working people exposed to the elements have to work in difficult conditions risking their lives.”

WTUC president-elect Sian Gale said: “Last year in Wales, employers reported to the authorities that 15 people sustained fatal injuries at work.

“Our heartfelt thanks go out today to those workers on the front line who put their lives on the line to keep us all safe, such as firefighters and others such as journalists and news crews, who risk all to bring us news from across the world so that we are aware of the atrocities happening in warzones such as Gaza and the Ukraine.”

Ms Gale said the WTUC is asking health and safety reps across Wales to inspect their workplace for safety risks and “that campaign goes to the heart of the message of workers’ memorial day – to remember the dead and to fight tooth and nail for the living.”