In This Section
Crucial Changes still needed on first anniversary of farmworkers' deaths
March 7, 2008
VANCOUVER - On the first anniversary of the death of three farmworkers, the B.C. Federation of Labour is releasing a Report on the dangerous and exploitive working conditions for farmworkers in the province.
On March 7, 2007, three women farmworkers died in an overloaded and unsafe 15-passenger van. One year after this tragic accident:
• no criminal charges have been laid;
• a Coroner's inquest scheduled for April 28, 2008 has been postponed;
• no changes have been made to Employment Standards Legislation;
• no changes have been made to the Vehicle Certification Process; and
• 15-passenger vans are still being used to transport farmworkers.
"Three women died violently last year on their way to work. Despite a flurry of activity in the immediate aftermath, many farmworkers are still exposed to dangerous working conditions each and every day," says Federation President, Jim Sinclair.
Last year, the Federation presented 29 recommendations to Labour Minister Olga Ilich. Many of the recommendations have been ignored or, because of a lack of public disclosure by government agencies, it's impossible to evaluate if changes have been made. The Federation also called for the restoration of farmworkers' employment standards and rights that were removed by the Campbell government in 2001.
"On this dreadful anniversary, farmworkers remain stripped of basic rights: a minimum wage, rest periods, vacation, statutory holiday and overtime pay," Sinclair says.
The Federation is calling on the Crown to act on the recommendations of the RCMP and lay criminal charges. The Federation is also calling for a Coroner's inquest at the earliest possible date.
"A Coroner's inquest is the best way to ensure that government and agencies address, in a comprehensive way, the solutions that are needed to ensure that farmworkers are fully protected while being transported to work and while working on farms," Sinclair added.
To see the full Report, "Safety Compromised. Rights Denied" please click here.
For more information: Evan Stewart, (604) 430-1421 or (604) 220-3095.
