Layton calls for tougher worker safety standards in Canada

Message to federal government on National Day of Mourning

Ottawa (28 April 2008) - Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton says Canadian workers need tougher labour and safety standards and more resources to enforce workplace health and safety.

Commemorating National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job in Canada, Layton said action is needed urgently because Canada continues to have one of the highest workplace fatality rates of any country in the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

"Between 1996 and 2006 alone, close to 9,000 workers died from work-related injuries and illness," Layton said. "Hundreds of thousands more suffered non-fatal, but often serious, injuries and illnesses. This is unnecessary and unacceptable." Despite the urgent need for safer workplaces, governments are actually weakening health and safety rules and enforcement, Layton said.

"The federal government is also expanding the temporary foreign worker program, which leaves temporary workers vulnerable to exploitation and substandard, unsafe working conditions," he added.

"We’re already seeing preventable deaths and injuries related to the poor conditions faced by these workers. Governments and businesses are moving in the opposite direction from where we need to be and opening the door to more work-related deaths, injuries and health problems."

NDP committed

Layton said it does not have to be this way and NDP MPs in Parliament are committed to improving the situation.

"Together, the NDP and the labour movement can work to make workplace health and safety a national priority for all levels of government. Governments and employers can be pushed to strengthen labour and safety standards. We can demand that government provide more resources for better enforcement of health and safety regulations. We can, and must, keep fighting back," he said.

"Workers' rights are human rights. In respect and honour of the lives lost and the families affected by death, injury and illness in the workplace, the NDP commits today to renew its fight for safe and healthy working conditions for all Canadians. We call on the government and businesses to commit to the same."

Layton was among several speakers who participated in National Day of Mourning ceremonies at Vincent Massey Park in Ottawa. Also taking part were Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC); Pierre Blackburn, federal labour minister, and Sean McKenny, president of the Ottawa and District Labour Council.

NUPGE The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring that our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE

(Published as n28ap08b.htm)