4월 28일, 노동자 애도의 날, 1991년 캐나다 의회 제정. 노동자 사망, 질병, 부상 예방 목표 Mourning Day Act-S.C. 1991, c. 15

노동자 애도의 날 제정. 일터에서 죽거나 다친 노동자들을 애도하기 위해 만든 법. 1991년. 캐나다 의회가 제정함.

1991년 이후 캐나다 이외에 100여개 국가에서도 '노동자 애도의 날 제정'

캐나다 통계, 2018년 1027명 일터에서 사망, 2017년에 비해 76명 증가함.

(캐나다 동부 해안가, 뉴 브런즈윅 주, 세인트 존스에 있는, 일터에서 일하다가 죽은 노동자를 애도함. Fallen Workers, St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada) 

(캐나다 젊은 노동자들의 사망을 애도하는 퀼트. Canadian young workers memorial quilt)

(캐나다 브리티시 컬럼비아 주 , 스티베스튼,  어부들의 낚시 바늘을 기념비로 만들다. Fishermen's needle memorial )

(캐나다 온타리오 주, 해밀튼, 노동자 애도 )

Mourning Day Act-S.C. 1991, c. 15

An Act respecting a Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace [Assented to 1st February, 1991]

WHEREAS it is desirable that Canadians should designate a day of mourning to remember workers killed, disabled or injured in the workplace and workers afflicted with industrial disease;

AND WHEREAS Canadians seek earnestly to set an example of their commitment to the issue of health and safety in the workplace;

NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows

Short title

1.This Act may be cited as the Workers Mourning Day Act.

Day of Mourning

2. (1) Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the 28th day of April shall be known under the name of "Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace".

(2) For greater certainty, the Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace is not a legal holiday or a non-juridical day and shall not be required to be kept or observed as such.

Beyond the Statistics

The most recent statistics from the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) tell us that in 2018, 1027 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada, an increase of 76 from the previous year. Among these deaths were 27 young workers aged 15-24.

Add to these fatalities the 264,438 accepted claims (an increase from 251,508 the previous year) for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, including 33,058 from workers aged 15-24, and the fact that these statistics only include what is reported and accepted by the compensation boards, there is no doubt that the total number of workers impacted is even greater.

And it’s not just these numbers on which we need to reflect. With each worker tragedy there are loved ones, family members, friends and co-workers who are directly affected, left behind, and deeply impacted – their lives also forever changed.

History

In 1991, eight years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress, the Parliament of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act making April 28 an official Day of Mourning. Today the Day of Mourning has since spread to more than 100 countries around the world and is recognized as Workers’ Memorial Day, and as International Workers' Memorial Day by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

It is the hope of CCOHS that the annual observance of this day will help strengthen the resolve to establish safe and healthy conditions in the workplace, and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths. As much as this is a day to remember the dead, it is also a call to protect the living and make work a place to thrive.