This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job.  The National Day of Mourning is an initiative of the Canadian Labour Congress and was started in 1984. In 1991, the Canadian Parliament officially recognized the Day of Mourning when it passed Bill C-233.  The American Federation of Labour (AFL-CIO) had also recognized April 28^th as a Day of Mourning in 1989. April 28^th became an “international day” in 1996 at the United Nations in New York, when a delegation lit a commemorative candle for workers who are killed or become ill because of their work, as well as to promote decent work and sustainable workplaces.  The Day of Mourning is now observed around the world and is officially recognized by more than 20 countries. 2005 saw the beginning of a process to have the day officially adopted by the UN General Assembly, i.e. by more than 200 countries.

Across Canada, people will take time to remember those killed or injured at work.  They are friends, co-workers, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children.  These men and women are victims of unsafe workplaces.  April 28^th also gives us an opportunity to denounce the unsafe conditions in which we are too often asked to perform our jobs.

A 2005 joint report of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates at 270 million the number of workplace accidents around the world every year, including nearly two million fatalities and over 160 million new cases of occupational disease, which alone cause 1.7 million deaths.  Each year, nearly 12,000 children are killed on the job and hazardous substances kill 340,000 workers annually, while asbestos alone claims about 100,000 lives.  And let’s not forget the tens of thousands of workers who end up with a permanent disability.

The number of workplace fatalities in Canada continues to increase.  In 2006, the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) reported 976 workplace fatalities in Canada compared to 805 in 1996 – an 18% increase over a ten-year period.  The injury situation at Canada Post is not much better. Numbers have increased steadily in recent years. 

On April 28^th, we must not allow the memory or suffering of these workers to be forgotten.  We must all commit to continue the struggle to force employers and governments to fulfill their obligation to make every workplace a safe and healthy one.  We must also continue seeking stronger health and safety protection and standards, and better enforcement in our workplaces.

Please participate in observing a minute of silence in your workplace on April 28^th to remember our sisters and brothers who were victim of work-related injuries, death and disease.

An injury to one is an injury to all.