Three women died on their way to work 17 years ago. One of their daughters is still calling for change.

Avneet Sidhu was seven when her mother passed away in a vehicle crash on her way to work.

Now, Sidhu, 24, remembers her mother as an industrious farmworker who showed up everyday to a job that her daughter thinks doesn’t receive enough recognition by British Columbians.

“I think there needs to be a general homage paid to farmworkers, because it’s precarious work and it’s glossed over,” she said.

Sidhu’s mother, Sarbjit Kaur Sidhu, was one of three women who died in 2007 when the van transporting them to work lost control on the Trans-Canada Highway near Abbotsford.

Since then, investigations have revealed numerous safety concerns within the van, including only two seatbelts for its 17 passengers, mismatched and bald tires, a wooden bench as a seat and a driver without a proper license. On Saturday people gathered in Abbotsford to remember the women and recognize the work that still needs to be done to ensure the safety of those in the industry.

According to Sidhu, tangible improvements have been made to regulations concerning workers’ safety since the crash. These include the use of a mini school bus to transport workers and regular checks to ensure the vehicles are being operated safely.

Sussanne Skidmore, president of the BC Federation of Labour, says these changes are recognizable and commendable, but they don’t fix the whole picture.

“There’s no denying that when a tragic incident like this happens and lives are lost, we really have to look at the system that we work under,” she said.

From workers, Skidmore says she’s still hearing concerns about the working and living conditions they’re constantly facing.

She says she plans to continue pushing to have minimum wage guarantees for B.C. farm workers.

But even with all of the safety protocols, checks and reassurances that have been introduced since her mom’s death, Sidhu says there are still contractors and lobbyists who continue to advocate against them.

“It’s a really capitalist world we live in and everyone’s always trying to get everything done for cheaper,” she said.

Sidhu’s mother sent her to India to live with her grandmother from the age of five months to five years so she could stay in Canada and work. Growing up, Sidhu says she only got brief moments with her mum, but she recalls admiring her drive to work and support her family.

In the future, she says she’d like to see governments continue to work to educate foreign workers on their rights so they receive the treatment, respect and working conditions they deserve.

“It’s just recognizing how important human life is and understanding that cutting corners is never the answer,” she said.

With files from Raynaldo Suarez.