FIFE Trades Council is calling a minute's silence on Tuesday April 28.

International Workers Memorial Day is commemorated every year, to acknowledge the sacrifice of workers around the world. The overarching theme for the commemoration is “Remember the dead, fight for the living.” This year has a special significance because of the pandemic due to the numbers of frontline workers who have lost their lives.

Benarty man, Tam Kirby, chair of Fife Trades Union Council said: “Trade Unions are calling for a minute’s silence at 11am on Tuesday April 28 as a thank-you to all the workers, including, bus drivers, retail workers, local government, nurses, midwives, cleaners, doctors and care staff, who’ve died from this devastating virus.”

Fife Trade Union Council along with Trade Councils all over the country are organising where possible, due to restrictions, the laying of a wreath as normal at the memorial they have in Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy.

Tam went onto to say: “We must fight for the living. Even now there are far too many people going to work without the required PPE.

"The Government, as a matter of urgency, need to get on top of this situation, as workers are still being putting their lives at risk, by working without the proper protection”

He concluded: "This day provides a focus for us all to remember those who have been killed at work, to provide support and comfort to their families and to commit to striving for healthier, safer and fairer work for all helping to ensure workers are not denied the basic human right of returning home to loved ones after their day’s work is done.

"We call on everyone to support this action on April 28".