Federation of Labour calls for government action on the Eve of the National Day of Mourning
The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour (NLFL) and workers across the province will gather on April 28th to mark the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job.
“In 2025, according to WorkplaceNL statistics, 17 workers in our province lost their lives due to workplace injuries or illness. In the past five years alone, 106 workers have died because of their work,” said NLFL President Jessica McCormick. “These aren’t just numbers on a page. These are our coworkers, our neighbours, our families, our friends, and our loved ones.”
“Everyone deserves to work safely and return home at the end of their shift. Governments must do more to make that a reality,” said McCormick. “We have made our position clear on the need for government to take concrete action to make our workplaces safer in our provincial budget submission, our budget presentation to the Minister of Finance, and in meetings with the Premier, Ministers, and government officials.”
The NLFL continues our call for:
- The enforcement of the Westray Act to hold employers criminally accountable in the death or serious injury of workers due to negligence;
- Government to implement effective prevention strategies, strong laws, and to ensure those laws are enforced;
- A public Inquiry into the Fatal Workplace Accident at the Come By Chance Refinery (2022);
- An increase the number of Occupational Health and Safety Investigators in the province;
- Transparency in health and safety records. The health and safety records of NL employers are kept out of the public eye. The public must have the ability to quickly and easily check the safety records of businesses;
- A task force to address increasing rates of workplace violence;
- A silica dust study for Labrador West;
- The establishment of an Occupational Health Clinic to help both employers and workers manage, prevent, and respond to occupational illnesses;
- An increase to the income replacement rate for workers’ compensation to 90%.
Day of Mourning ceremonies will take place on Tuesday in St. John’s, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, and Labrador City.
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