NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING FOR WORKERS KILLED OR INJURED ON THE JOB

The names of 33 Saskatchewan workers who died as a result of workplace injuries or illnesses will be read into Hansard, the official record of proceedings in the Provincial Legislature, tomorrow morning.

Labour Minister David Forbes will read the names into the record as part of the observances to mark Friday, April 28th, the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job.

"Since the last National Day of Mourning there have been 33 more work-related deaths in Saskatchewan and almost 14,000 people suffered a work-related injury or illness serious enough to require them to take time off work," Forbes said. "April 28th is both a Day of Mourning and a day to renew our commitment to doing everything possible to prevent such tragedies."

Part of that commitment is the work the Department of Labour does with employers and employees to make Saskatchewan a safer, healthier place to work.

"In the last three years, there has been a 14 per cent decrease in the lost-time injury rate, and we are on track to reach the department's goal of reducing the time-loss injury rate by 20 per cent over four years," Forbes said.

"Even one death in the workplace is too many. If we can reduce the injury rate by 20 per cent over four years, we can reduce it even more in the years ahead, and we intend to do just that."

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For More Information, Contact:

Natosha Lipinski Labour Phone: (306) 787-3716