March 21 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The date commemorates the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa, when police opened fire on peaceful protestors opposing apartheid laws. It stands as a solemn reminder of the violent realities of apartheid — a system built on institutionalized racial discrimination and the ongoing need to confront racism in all its forms. 

This day serves as a global reminder of the harm caused by racism and the continued responsibility to challenge discrimination wherever it exists, including in our workplaces. 

Racism in the workplace today 

While racism may appear in different ways, its impacts remain real and ongoing. Indigenous, Black, Asian and racialized workers continue to face systemic barriers to hiring, career advancement, fair treatment and representation in many workplaces. 

PSAC recognizes that racism undermines equity, safety and dignity at work. We have a responsibility to challenge discrimination and support members who experience racism in the workplace. 

Recent discussions on employment equity in the federal public service have highlighted that progress toward equity has been slow and uneven. Indigenous, Black, Asian and racialized workers remain underrepresented in leadership positions. These realities reinforce the need for stronger accountability, and sustained action to address discrimination in workplaces. 

PSAC’s commitment to anti-racism 

PSAC continues to take concrete steps to address systemic racism both within workplaces and our union. 

In 2021, PSAC launched its Anti-Racism Action Plan, developed through consultations with Indigenous, Black, Asian, and racialized members across the country. The plan focuses on education, representation, engagement, and political action to strengthen anti-racism efforts and ensure that racialized members are fully represented and supported. 

These efforts help ensure that the voices and experiences of racialized members help shape the union’s work moving forward. 

PSAC has also supported efforts to address anti-Black racism in the federal public service, including advocating for justice for Black federal workers who have experienced discrimination in hiring, promotion, and workplace treatment. These efforts highlight the ongoing need to confront systemic racism and strengthen accountability in federal workplaces. 

Eliminating racial discrimination requires ongoing learning and collective action. Through our human rights and education programs, we are working to address systemic barriers in our workplaces, union, and communities.  

Small actions, from speaking up against discrimination to supporting colleagues, can contribute to meaningful change. 

March 21 is an opportunity to reflect; however, commemoration alone is not enough. Elimination of racial discrimination requires action. By working together, we can build workplaces where all workers are treated with dignity, respected for their contributions, and given equal opportunities to succeed. 

Test your knowledge: Recognizing racism in the workplace 

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Learn more 

• United Nations – History and global importance of March 21 and efforts to eliminate racial discrimination. 
• Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) – Labour movement resources on addressing racism and advancing equity in workplaces. 
• Canadian Anti-Hate Toolkit – Research and educational resources on combating hate and discrimination in Canada. 
• PSAC 21 Actions for March 21 brochure – Learn more about PSAC's initiatives against racial discrimination.