Workers’ Memorial Day (28th April)

About Workers’ Memorial Day

The date of the 28^th of April is observed as Workers’ Memorial Day in India every year. The day is to commemorate the lives of all those workers who have died at the workplace and also acknowledge the grievances of all the families of the deceased workers.

The day began as an American initiative and soon gained momentum as it became an international event, with the majority of the countries worldwide, including India, adopting the 28^th of April to be celebrated as Workers’ Memorial Day every year.

The day also takes prime note to recommit everyone to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every worker at the workplace, to make sure there are no casualties and threats to their lives.

The reason for the 28^th of April being chosen to be celebrated as Workers’ Memorial Day is the fact that on this very day back in the year 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established. OSHA’s prime objective is to make sure that the guidelines set up by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 are fully abided by.

The guidelines under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 simply focus on the fact that all employers are accountable and must have the responsibility to make sure that every individual working under them have a safe and healthy working environment, and their safety and security should never be compromised.

Some of the other elements of this day include giving employees the liberty to participate in unions, have safe and sound jobs, be protected against all illnesses and injuries taking place at their respective workplaces.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 also emphasizes the fact that every individual giving their 100% commitment to a job has the right to a safe job and hence, they must fight for it till they get it.