Editor:
Marked annually in Canada on April 28, the National Day of Mourning is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives or suffered injury or illness on the job due to a work-related tragedy.
This day is a stark reminder that our workplaces aren’t always as safe as they should be. The military and other first responders may accept the fact that they are more at risk of death or injury than other occupations but because of COVID-19, many more workers are now faced with a similar reality.
In the past year many Canadians have contracted COVID-19 in the workplace and some became seriously ill or needlessly died. We have to ask, did their employers do everything possible to prevent this from happening and if no, why not?
It’s been noted that many of these workers did not have the benefits of paid sick leave, which no doubt contributed to the outbreak of the virus in their workplaces.
Some employers, for a period of time, paid their workers a premium (pandemic pay) yet they still didn’t offer paid sick leave, sending the message that their workers are only valued if they can work (sick or not).
I fear that on April 28, 2021, not only will there be Canadians who are remembering family and friends who have died after contracting COVID-19 in the workplace; there will be others wondering what is in store for the many who are still suffering the long-term effects from this virus (potentially a new industrial disease).
Take note Justin Trudeau, John Horgan and those political leaders yet to come. All Canadians deserve the benefits of paid sick leave so we can avoid these unnecessary deaths and illnesses going forward.
Please visit the Sunshine Coast Labour Council Facebook page on April 28 for our Day of Mourning posts.
Ed Erickson,
Day of Mourning Chairperson,
Sunshine Coast Labour Council
