Workers' Memorial Day
The people of South Tyneside are being called upon to light a candle in honour of all those who have lost their lives while at work.
International Workers' Memorial Day (Tuesday 28 April) is a global awareness event to commemorate all those who have been killed, injured, disabled or left unwell by their work.
This year's theme is 'Coronavirus'.
To mark the day, South Tyneside Council is encouraging people to light a candle in their own homes at 8pm to show solidarity for all those workers who have sadly lost their lives during the worldwide pandemic.
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Norman Dick said: "Workers' Memorial Day is an incredibly important day. It is a global movement with this year focused on the current coronavirus crisis. Never has a theme united as many people from across the world.
"Coronavirus is impacting on all of our communities. It does not discriminate, and I know that some people will know of workers who have sadly lost their lives to the virus.
"Due to the current government guidance, the Council is unable to hold its annual service in South Shields Town Hall. But this won't stop us observing the day in South Tyneside.
"We are calling on our communities to light a candle and take a moment to reflect and honour the many lives that have been lost by workers from all professions to coronavirus and to think about the devastating impact on the families, friends and work colleagues that they leave behind.
"Workers' Memorial Day also commemorates the lives of more than 10 million people worldwide who, since the beginning of the 21st Century, have lost their life at work."
The Mayor added: "I would also like to take this opportunity to express such huge appreciation, admiration and support for those workers who continue to carry out their roles as key workers during this time. They are doing incredible work to help keep us all safe, to support and care for the most vulnerable and to keep essential services going."