Ontario Public Affairs Update – New Labour Legislation Introduced Today
Labour Legislation Includes Proposed Changes to Open Period
Today, Ontario Labour Minister Yasir Naqvi introduced new legislation aimed at providing stronger protections for workers, called the Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act. The Bill proposes:
- eliminating the $10,000 cap on the recovery of unpaid wages while increasing the period of recovery to two years;
- new requirements for temporary help agencies, and;
- prohibitions on the charging of fees and seizing of personal documents like passports from temporary foreign workers.
Of greatest interest to the ICI construction sector will be a proposal to reduce the open period from three months to two months.
The Bill received first reading today, and will require further debate and public hearings. OCS will monitor the legislation’s progress closely over the coming weeks. You will be able to view the Bill on the Legislature’s website within the next day or so, by clicking here. Minister Naqvi’s remarks can be read by clicking here (comments on construction are towards the end of the speech).
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Perry Chao
Senior Policy Analyst
Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS)
940 The East Mall, Suite 120, Etobicoke, ON M9B 6J7
P 416.620.5210 ext. 241
F 416.620.5310
EMAIL: perryc@iciconstruction.com
Also check our website > www.iciconstruction.com