Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement today, to recognize May 1, 2018, as International Workers’ Day:

“The Government of British Columbia is proud to celebrate B.C. workers and workers around the world today by officially proclaiming May 1 as International Workers’ Day in B.C.

“Workers accomplish great things for our province. They build its infrastructure, drive economic growth, provide services, create new technologies and are the backbone of every workplace, organization, community and the province of B.C. as a whole.

“International Workers’ Day not only recognizes the contributions of workers, but also acknowledges the important achievements and progress made by workers who stand up for fair and safe workplaces. Without their efforts throughout history, many of the labour laws that protect workers today would not exist.

“As Minister of Labour, I am taking action to put in place laws, regulations and policies, backed by strong prevention and enforcement measures, to guarantee safe, respectful working environments. My priority is to do everything we can, as a government, to keep workers safe, no matter what their occupation or place of work. All workers deserve to return home each day healthy and safe. Far too often, people are injured at work — sometimes fatally — and this is unacceptable.

“I am proud that, for the first time in B.C., we are provincially proclaiming International Workers’ Day as a way to recognize the importance of workers in our province. I am proud that our government is working to protect the rights of all workers and to make life better for people.”

View the International Workers’ Day 2018 proclamation at: http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/proclamations/proclamations/IntlWrkrsDay2018