Emma joined locals in Lerwick on Sunday the 28th of April to commemorate International Worker’s Memorial Day.
International Worker’s Memorial Day is celebrated internationally every year to remember those who have died at work and to raise awareness of the need to continue pushing for better safety regulations.
The day was organised by Joyce Davies, a local artist from Scalloway, who has been campaigning for a memorial to workers killed at work since 2018 alongside Scottish Hazards. Joyce has been passionate about making health and safety a priority in the workplace since her father passed away in 1968 in the James Watt Street fire.
Emma joined Joyce and locals at the Mareel in Lerwick, which was lit up purple in the evening thanks to Shetland Arts.
Speaking on the day, Emma said:
“Yesterday was a beautiful day organised by Joyce who has been campaigning on this issue for many years, driven with such passion after losing her father at a young age.
“I was so pleased to be able to join Joyce and members of the local community to pay our respect to those who have lost their life at work.
“I look forward to continuing to work alongside Joyce, folk locally, Shetland Arts, and Scottish Hazards to support the recognition of the cause in the isles and for a Memorial Stone to be established in Lerwick – a place for folk to come and pay their respects and remember loved one.
“I’d like to thank Shetland Arts, Scottish Hazards, Joyce and folk in the local community for their work to make sure yesterday was such a lovely day to remember those we have lost at work. Everyone has the right to go to work and be safe, and we must continue to ensure all workplaces have rigorous health and safety regulations.”
Joyce Davies, local campaigner for Scottish Hazards said:
“It felt great to feel supported by Emma yesterday. I was stunned when we met in one of her surgeries a few months back and we sat together whilst I told her about my dad, my loss and how it has affected my life since 18th November 1968.
“Although I planned yesterday and felt aware I wasn’t alone. As an Artist Shetland Arts grow me through wellbeing classes and I owe so much to them, from my first tearful scribble in 2019, to Commissions, Exhibitions, and funding awards
“Shetland Arts lit up our main Arts Centre, the Mareel, purple it was beautiful, even in the wind and rain. They hosted the entire day which I am very thankful for.
“We talked about next stages, what to do in months to come. We are planning a Steering Group to continue raising awareness to get that much needed Memorial Stone, so other folk, can, like me, be creative to handle complex grief. I feel excited and proud and much less alone.
“We know death, severe illness caused at work and suicide are tough topics but they need to be out there, not hidden, grief in universal, coming together is what brings healing.
“So I thank Emma and her team ,from the bottom of my heart, I thank Scottish Hazards and Shetland Arts. I thank my family and friends and folk from FACK who share my pain.”
More information about Scottish Hazards can be found here.
