The Workers' Memorial Day in Gibraltar honors workers who have lost their lives, suffered injuries, or become ill due to workplace accidents or conditions. The day also reinforces the importance of health and safety in the workplace, echoing the theme "Remember the dead, fight for the living".

When is Workers' Memorial Day?

The Workers' Memorial Day in Gibraltar is observed on April 28.

The following is the list of the Workers' Memorial Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of the Workers' Memorial Day?

Workers' Memorial Day was first established internationally in 1989 by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Its purpose was to honor workers who had died, been injured, or fallen ill due to unsafe working conditions, while also advocating for stronger workplace safety laws and protections.

The date April 28 was chosen because it coincides with the day when the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) came into effect in 1971, symbolizing the global movement for safer workplaces. Over time, the observance spread worldwide, gaining recognition from trade unions, governments and the International Labour Organization (ILO), which officially acknowledged it in 2001 as the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Gibraltar adopted Workers' Memorial Day in the early 2000s, following the example of the UK and other Commonwealth countries. The government, in partnership with unions and employers, recognized the importance of dedicating a day to raise awareness about workplace safety.

The first formal Workers' Memorial Day ceremony in Gibraltar was held in 2002, marking a turning point in the territory's approach to occupational health and safety awareness. In subsequent years, Workers' Memorial Day became a permanent fixture in Gibraltar's annual calendar, observed jointly by the Government of Gibraltar and trade unions. Today, in Gibraltar, Workers' Memorial Day stands as a powerful symbol of solidarity and a reminder of responsibility.