Toronto – October 2, 2020 – Each year on October 7, the World Day for Decent Work joins workers and organizations around the world in an annual call for equity, fairness, and opportunity that comes through decent work. This year’s focus is on the need to acknowledge and respect the work of the millions of workers across many sectors who have been crucial throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Decent work is productive employment in a workplace that respects equity, security, and human dignity. It is work that provides a fair and stable income and social protection for workers and their families. Decent work is also a workplace that allows workers to express their concerns and have a voice in decisions that affect their work, their safety, and their future.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of UFCW Canada members across the country have worked tirelessly, at risk to themselves, to make sure their neighbours have the food, health care, security, and other vital services. We need to ensure that safety and fairness for frontline workers and all workers at risk are top priorities today and every day in the future, because as the pandemic continues so does the risk that UFCW members and other workers on the frontline face every day.  

You can show your support and add your name to the call for safety and fairness for all  frontline workers here.

Solidarity and community action are vital to creating and sustaining decent work for everyone. We join in international solidarity on the “World Day of Decent Work” to call on governments and employers to ensure that in the wake of COVID-19, that good, decent work, fairness, and respect on the job are fundamental to the “new normal” we build the future on.

In solidarity, 

 
Paul R. Meinema 
National President 
UFCW Canada