International students call for safer workplaces in wake of Halifax grocery store tragedy.

By: Anmolpreet Singh

BELLEVILLE – A young woman working at a grocery store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, recently lost her life in a tragic incident involving a bakery oven.

Gursimran Kaur, a 19-year-old who had come to Canada from India with her just a few years ago, was found inside a commercial oven at Walmart where she worked.

Police and the Nova Scotia ministry of labour continue to investigate exactly how she died. 

But her sudden death has left her family, the community, and the public with questions about how such a tragic accident could have happened. It’s also led some to wondering about workplace safety for recent immigrants and international students. 

                                                       Gursimran Kaur died in the bakery oven.

News of her death sparked reaction from international students in the Quinte area.

“It’s very sad and worrying news for all of us,” said Armaan Singh who works at a local fast-food outlet.

Singh, who works part-time while studying in Canada, says there are important gaps in safety training for young and international workers.

Armaan Singh shared his thoughts on the incident. Photo by Anmolpreet Singh

Singh explained that while many companies offer safety training, he sometimes finds that the information isn’t as clear as it should be.

“Safety is essential, but sometimes the safety rules aren’t communicated clearly, especially if the language is different,” he said.

He added that having instructions only in English can sometimes be a challenge for international workers who are still learning the language. He believes that companies could improve safety by providing these guidelines in multiple languages and ensuring everyone understands them, regardless of their native language.

Singh also shared that, although he has received safety training, he still feels more could be done to help workers like him feel fully supported.

“It’s important that we look out for each other,” he said, noting that workers should feel encouraged to watch out for their colleagues and help keep each other safe on the job. For Singh, this sense of community and support is especially important for international students, who may be working in an unfamiliar environment and culture.

He suggested that companies could help foster a more supportive work culture by encouraging better communication between managers and workers, especially those who are new to Canada.

Singh’s experience has led him to believe that while safety rules exist, they aren’t always enforced as well as they should be. He thinks that employers should prioritize clear and understandable safety measures, particularly in jobs that involve equipment or tasks with higher risks.

“This incident has made me think more carefully about safety,” he said, adding that he now prioritizes workplaces where safety is clearly a top priority.

Gagandeep Singh shares his thought on the incident. Photo by Anmolpreet Singh

Gagandeep Singh is an international student who, like many others, works part-time while studying in Canada. Gagandeep works in a local factory. 

While Gagandeep agrees that employers should provide safety training, he feels that workers also need to take personal responsibility to fully understand safety procedures.

“The company should teach us, but we also need to make sure we understand the risks of our jobs,” he explained. For him, language barriers or unclear instructions shouldn’t be an excuse; workers should ask questions until they’re confident about the job’s safety requirements.

Unlike Armaan Singh, who believes that safety materials should be available in multiple languages, Gagandeep thinks that practical, hands-on training would be more effective. He shared that written guidelines can sometimes be hard to understand, especially with complex equipment, but seeing a demonstration helps make things clearer.

“It’s easier to remember if you see it in action,” he said, stressing that showing how to operate machinery safely can make a big difference.

This incident has also made Gagandeep more cautious about the workplaces he chooses. He now looks for jobs where he feels safety rules aren’t just written down but are actually followed.

“A safe workplace shouldn’t just have rules on paper; it should show they care about safety in everyday actions,” he shared.

He also believes that workers need to look out for each other on the job. By supporting each other, he feels that workers can create a stronger, safer community, especially among international students who may be unfamiliar with certain equipment or local work practices.