Trade unionists honoured workers who lost their lives in the line of duty during a ceremony in Enniskillen.

The annual Fermanagh Council of Trades Unions’ commemoration of International Workers’ Memorial Day took place on April 27.

The event also focused on improving workplace health and safety.

This year's theme was on the challenges of maintaining workplace health and safety in extreme weather events.

The rally was chaired by Donal O’Cofaigh of Unite, who apologised to those gathered on behalf of Andrew Cathers, chair of the trades’ council, and its secretary Jim Quinn.

Sally Rees, executive committee member of Fermanagh-based NASUWT and member of the Irish Congress of Trades Unions Executive Committee, said: "Extreme weather events, are becoming more frequent and severe, posing significant risks to workers in various industries.

“In the face of these challenges, our commitment to ensuring safe and healthy workplaces must extend beyond traditional occupational hazards.

"We must advocate for policies and practices that mitigate risks associated with climate change, promote environmental sustainability, and safeguard the well-being of workers and communities.”

The meeting was also addressed by Thomas O’Reilly, chairperson of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, who reiterated his council’s commitment to raising health and safety in workplaces and praised the role of trade unions in securing that outcome.

Jill Weir, vice-chair of the Fermanagh Council of Trades Unions, and secretary of the Unison branch, said: "Each year 135 workers are killed in the UK alone and 13,000 die from occupational lung disease and cancers caused by past exposures at work.

"There are currently 1.7 million suffering from a work-related illness.

"The key to providing a safe and healthy workplace is effective risk management, eliminating or reducing the risk of harm and having safe systems of work including training and access to PPE."