April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. On that day, we will join over 100 countries in remembering those who have lost their lives due to work-related causes.

Every year, people across the globe die as a result of unsafe working conditions, insufficient health and safety measures and protection equipment, and poorly implemented policies. All too often, these deaths could have been avoided. In Canada, hundreds of workplace fatalities are still recorded.

Despite important improvements to workplace safety standards over the last century — thanks in large part to continued union efforts — much work remains to be done to ensure that all workers are adequately protected against preventable work-related accidents or illness.

At CBSA, new and continued challenges — such as increased reliance on untrained personnel, insufficient staffing, and new workplace risks associated with emerging detention duties — highlight the need for workers to keep pushing for adequate training, policies and protective equipment to mitigate potentially hazardous situations. Stronger provisions around toxic workplace culture and bullying from management are also needed to ensure the mental and physical health and safety of our members.

The Customs and Immigration Union attaches great importance to its members’ health and safety, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect them from harm. Given the dangers that so many workers are still confronting today, let us all observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on the National Day of Mourning.

This April 28, on the National Day of Mourning, we will join over 100 countries in remembering those who have lost their lives due to work-related causes.

Every year, people across the globe die as a result of unsafe working conditions, insufficient health and safety measures and protection equipment, and poorly implemented policies. All too often, these deaths could have been avoided. In Canada, hundreds of workplace fatalities are still recorded. The last few years have also highlighted the importance of comprehensive health and safety measures and proper access to protective equipment.

Despite important improvements to workplace safety standards over the last century — thanks in large part to continued union efforts — much work remains to be done to ensure that all workers are adequately protected against preventable work-related accidents or illness.

The Customs and Immigration Union attaches great importance to its members’ health and safety, and we will continue to do everything we can to protect them from harm. Given the dangers that so many workers are still confronting today, let us all observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on the National Day of Mourning.

On National Day of Mourning April 28, PSAC recognizes the exemplary work of PSAC members who saved countless lives defending the health and safety of workers during the pandemic.

From mandating employers to develop COVID-19 protocols, administrative controls and ventilation and sanitation policies, unions and activists have played a key role in keeping workers safe. Their work has been possible because of the strong health and safety legislation, compliance and enforcement that unions have fought for to protect workers in Canada and around the world.

Unfortunately, not all workers have access to these same protections, and we have a responsibility to ensure all workers have a right to a safe workplace.

In Canada, many workers, especially gig economy workers, do not have basic health and safety protections like the right to know about hazards in the workplace. Other workers, including long-term care, gig and frontline workers, have insufficient sick days and limited health and safety protections. In the 2022 budget, the federal government has committed to providing 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, but these benefits need to be extended to all workers.

That’s why PSAC and other unions are pushing governments to make occupational health and safety a fundamental right at work through the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO). Here, we organize together under the same vision: work shouldn’t hurt.

Both in Canada and around the world, millions of people continue to die because of their work. The most recent data from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) shows that in 2019, 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada. That’s on top of the 271,806 accepted claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease.

Canada must be a leader and act to ratify and implement core ILO health and safety conventions that guarantee occupational health rights and protections for all workers, as well as protections against violence and harassment.

PSAC also recommits to hold all employers to the highest standards of health and safety in the workplace, so all workers can go home safely at the end the day.

You can observe the National Day of Mourning by:

• Attending a local ceremony in your community
• Showing your commitment on social media with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s share graphics and the hashtag #DayofMourning
• Using PSAC’s Day of Mourning background during online meetings
• Downloading the CCOHS poster and displaying it in your workspace

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.