COUNCIL staff are being asked to fall silent today and remember workers who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

A minute's silence will be held at 11am to mark International Workers' Memorial Day.

Councillors and council officers usually mark the day alongside trade union colleagues at the Worker's Memorial at Glasgow Green.

But, due to the pandemic, they are taking part in the minute's silence this year.

A council spokesman said: "Each year has a theme and this year the theme is coronavirus.

"The coronavirus pandemic affects every worker regardless of sector or locality. Tens of thousands of workers worldwide have died.

"Given attending the memorial is likely to cause issues in terms of unnecessary travel and physical distancing, the council will mark this year differently.

"It will be a moment to pay tribute to the sacrifice made of so many workers in the past and, in current circumstances, to remember those who've sadly lost their lives, and to thank all those who continue to do vital work at great risk."

Trade unions unite to mark IWMD on April 28 each year. They remember those who have lost their lives at work, or from work-related injury and diseases.

It is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government.