The Federation of Labour’s message to employers on the National Day of Mourning for workers injured or killed on the job is “we have to do better.”

Last year, 17 workers in this province 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.

Federation President Jessica McCormick says improvements are needed to ensure that workers are safe and healthy.

“Those people are our co-workers, they’re people in our communities, they’re family members…and we have to do better and take our safety obligations more seriously.”

The annual memorial service marking the National Day of Mourning takes place today at MUN’s Signal Hill Campus over the noon hour.