British Columbia Federation of Labour

Vancouver— BC Liberals admit spot checks are needed, but checks only work if full safety and labour standards are restored for BC farmworkers says B.C. Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair.

In response to Solicitor-General John Les’ announcement today that spot checks are being restored for vehicles transporting farmworkers to their jobsite, Sinclair questioned why the government will only be doing this on an interim basis.

"It’s troubling that the provincial government believes this is only necessary on an interim basis," Sinclair said. The provincial government has already received recommendations from a 2004 coroner’s inquiry into the 2003 killing of farmworker Mohinder Sunar that recommended the restoration of spot checks.

"While it’s nice to see the government admit they were wrong last week when they said roadside checks weren’t needed, today’s announcement by the government is just smoke and mirrors," said Sinclair.

"We saw three women killed last week, and today’s announcement does not do justice to them or their families," Sinclair added.

"Restoration of spot checks is only part of the solution," Sinclair said. "Without changes to the Motor Vehicle Act, without comprehensive enforcement of health and safety laws, and without ending the second-class treatment of farmworkers under the Employment Standards Act, we will see more deaths."

Sinclair, representatives from the surviving families, and the Canadian Farmworkers’ Union will be meeting with Labour Minister Olga Ilich on Thursday to outline their recommendations for action to prevent more killings.

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For more information contact: Jessie Uppal 604-430-1421 or 604-220-0739.