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Inspections show vans transporting farmworker failing safety standards
April 13, 2007
A CBC radio report, B.C. farm van failure rate 'alarming', continues to show the abysmal safety conditions facing BC farmworkers. The report noted that recent spotchecks of vehicles transporting farmworkers resulted in forty percent of the vehicles being removed off the road altogether.
The spotchecks which occurred between March 15th and March 23rd, only took place after three women farmworkers lost their lives last month. On March 7th an overloaded van carrying 17 passenger crashed on Highway 1, east of Abbotsford BC. Three women were killed while others suffered serious injuries.
Despite the accident the provincial government claimed no stepped up inspections or enforcement were necessary. Only after pressure from the labour movement, Opposition NDP and victims' families were the most recent spotchecks announced. However according to the government they are only committed to conducting the safety enforcement on an "interim basis."
The B.C. Federation of Labour has submitted 29 recommendations to the provincial government to improve the working conditions and health and safety of BC farmworkers. While the provincial government has not yet responded, the Federation is hopeful that continued public pressure will help convince the government to implement all of the recommendations as soon as possible.
On April 28th the B.C. Fed will be holding the annual Day of Mourning ceremony, to remember workers killed or injured on the job, at 10:00 am at Bear Creek Park in Surrey BC. The ceremony will include farmworkers' representatives.
To learn more about the B.C. Fed's work to improve working and safety conditions for BC farmworkers click here.
