For Immediate Release
4 June, 2024
MHA Jordan Brown (Labrador West) is calling on government to give the prevention of workplace injuries and deaths in this province the priority workers expect.
“Government’s refusal to ensure that resources and expertise are in place to investigate workplace injuries and deaths shows a callous indifference that should make all workers concerned,” said Brown. “Everyone deserves to work safely and come home to their families at the end of the day. Key to that is investigating workplace injuries and deaths in a timely manner so that issues are identified and addressed. That’s not a priority for the Liberal government.”
The NDP has long called for improvements to occupational health and safety resourcing and enforcement of legislation to hold employers accountable. This year they renewed their call for an Occupational Health and Safety Clinic stating that the work of government will not be complete until no workplace fatalities occur. Brown says in his own district the Department of Digital Service’s inability to properly staff Occupational Health and Safety Officers is particularly worrisome.
“Labrador West is home to the largest mine in the province. There are no fulltime OHS Officers stationed here, instead they are flown in from time to time – that’s not good enough,” Brown said. “It’s frustrating to continue to hear reports of how the Liberals are asleep at the wheel. Employers need to be held accountable, and government needs to be transparent about their findings so workers are informed about safety records. Government must invest in OHS and protect workers.”
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For further information, contact Eddy St. Coeur, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), or eddystcoeur@gov.nl.ca
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