Memorial for Mrs. Bui

Bui Thi Hiep does not deserve to be simply known as – “The Vietnamese worker from Cargill who died of COVID-19”.

On Monday, May 4, 2020, fifteen days after she passed, and just when the Cargill meat plant will resume operations, Mr. Nga Nguyen, her grieving husband, will briefly share his memories of her. Through a Face Book page of ActionDignity and a live Face Book coverage, Bui’s spouse and co-workers at Cargill will share stories about her humanity.

Bui, as she is fondly called at work, epitomizes many essential workers. Despite her lack of English, she loved going to work and has been with Cargill for over 20 years. Her colleagues describe her as a meticulous worker who doesn’t mind her back turned against a huge fan in a refrigerated temperature eight hours a day, and sits on cold metal as she picks out beef bones from meat that is processed into a hamburger- a favorite of Canadian children and families.

This event is our way of expressing our deep respect and appreciation to all our essential workers in the food industry. It is our hope that everyone treats our workers with dignity, just like any other essential worker regardless of color or race. These workers, their children and loved ones have been through so much physical and emotional pain as they fought for their life battling COVID-19. While households are still recovering from the trauma of this deadly virus, this fear of death that beset Bui has even become more real as the plant reopens. The crisis is not over. We need to stand up to support them.

They are our everyday heroes.

Media and Facebook Live Event
Coverage starts at 11:00AM
Interview with Mr. Nga Nguyen (spouse) at 11:30AM

Request for donations to support essential workers: https://actiondignity.org/donate-now/

ActionDignity is a community-based organization that facilitates the collective voice of Calgary’s ethnocultural communities towards full civic participation and integration through collaborative action. We stand for equity and social justice.

For more information, contact:

Marichu Antonio
Executive Director
403 606 7717
marichu.antonio@actiondignity.org

Humaira Falak
Program Coordinator
403 992 5124
humaira.falak@actiondignity.org