The Federation of Labour is calling on the provincial government to take action to address workplace injuries and illness.

Tomorrow is the National Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job.

Last year, 17 workers lost their lives due to workplace injuries or illness, and the Federation of Labour says in the last five years 106 workers died because of their work.

President Jessica McCormick says government needs to take “concrete action” to make workplaces safer.

The federation is seeking the enforcement of the Westray Act to hold employers criminally accountable in the death or serious injury of workers due to negligence, and to hold a public inquiry into the fatal workplace accident at Come By Chance in 2022.

It also wants to see a silica dust study carried out in Labrador West and a task force established to address the increasing rate of workplace violence.