Labour activists marched on the legislature in Victoria carrying 100 coffins to mark April 28th the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or seriously injured on the job, and to demand action from the provincial government to do more to keep workers safe on the job.
BCFED President Irene Lanzinger told the crowd. "All workers must enjoy the basic right to on the job protections, and to come home safely to their families at the end of the work day."
At the ceremony, Lanzinger highlighted a number of tragic, high profile workplace deaths caused by employer negligence to make the case for tougher consequences. "Employers cannot be allowed to negligently kill or seriously injure a worker with impunity," she says.
In 2016, 164 BC workers were killed on the job or died from occupational diseases. Additionally, more than 100,000 injuries and occupational illnesses were reported last year.