NDP to hold labour consultations
"You could call our written submission to the minister of labour a down payment,” said David Forbes, NDP labour critic. “The process by which the Sask. Party plans to rewrite 100 years of work laws is abysmally incomplete. To provide real feedback on what employers and working women and men need, we’re going to hold the open and thorough consultations that the Sask. Party refused to hold.”
Nine round-table and town-hall style open consultations will be held throughout the province, following which, Forbes will provide a full report to the Sask. Party government.
The initial submission Forbes turned over to the Ministry of Labour outlines the inadequacy of the Sask. Party’s process and points out that more thorough consultations have been conducted on issues like reviews of minor football and math curricula.
“We have to get labour laws right in order to have a modern and productive economy,” said Forbes. “The success of every employer; the rights, safety and paycheque of every worker and Saskatchewan’s economic stability depend on fair labour laws.”
The Ministry of Labour has said they’ve received more than 900 submissions – a powerful indication that people want to voice their opinions and recount their experiences in the workplace. The Sask. Party’s consultation has only been 90 days long, will not include face-to-face meetings and written submissions and the identities of those making written submissions will be kept secret.
“The Sask. Party government is putting ideology ahead of common sense by proposing this massive labour law overhaul without a thorough, transparent and meaningful process,” said Forbes, who added that it’s disappointing that the Opposition needs to pick up the slack. “We’re going to do what should have been done in the first place – we’re going to start a conversation with workers, employers and stakeholders.”
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