Posted on April 23, 2021
“Mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living! “Mother Jones
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) joins individuals, trade unions, and organizations around the world for Workers’ Memorial Day on April 28, 2021, for those who have been injured or killed on the job; and for International Workers Day on May 1, 2021, commemorating the historic struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. For decades, unions like AFL-CIO have commemorated these important days with activities and awareness events around the world where people are uniting, taking a stand, and making sure their voices are heard.
AFL-CIO said, On “April 28, we focus on the need to renew the promise of safe jobs for all of America’s workers. We must continue to fight and push forward to ensure safe jobs for all workers through strong unions and strong laws. Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions more suffer injury or illness because of our jobs. Far too many workers die from preventable hazards and many more workers get sick from exposure to toxic chemicals.”
According to the World Health Organization, “125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace.” Armed with the facts, we know that knowledge is stronger than asbestos. Through our continued efforts to prevent exposure to asbestos including our recent Asbestos Awareness Week April 1-7 and continued fight for the passage of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (ARBAN), we hope to prevent the needless deaths of individuals both in and out of the workplace.
With continued support from AFL-CIO, the American Public Health Association (APHA) and 11 other public health and occupational safety organizations, ADAO is confident that ARBAN will be reintroduced in 2021 to create an asbestos free future for workers across America.
To follow the conversation online, follow the hashtag #IWMD21. You can also help by signing the petition to ban asbestos now without any loopholes or exemptions, and keep workers safe from the dangers of asbestos.
In solidarity,
Linda Reinstein