REGINA - Today, Saskatchewan’s Official Opposition called on the Sask. Party government to expand protections for all workers, including gig and contract workers. This comes following consultation with workers, advocates, and labour leaders as the provincial government undertakes a regular review of Saskatchewan’s occupational health and safety standards.
“We know that the very nature of work has been rewritten since the last review of OH&S. The ongoing pandemic has exposed the challenges working people are up against,” said Labour Critic Carla Beck. “Saskatchewan needs OH&S provisions that recognize both shifting employee-employer relationships and the burdens of work in the twenty-first century.”
Beck noted more Saskatchewan people are making a living as contractors and gig workers, and that they deserve the same safe and healthy workplaces other workers are guaranteed through occupational health and safety provisions.
Deputy Leader and Justice Critic Nicole Sarauer echoed the call to fix OH&S with provisions for domestic violence, sexual harassment, and mental illness.
“I’ve heard from numerous workers - particularly women contracted in the arts and culture sector - that face significant workplace abuse and are at risk of exploitation and assault.” said Sarauer. “Other provinces have committed to addressing all forms of harassment and abuse while at work. We must do the same. It goes without saying that all workers deserve a safe workplace, but tragically that is not the reality in Saskatchewan today.”
The Official Opposition has launched a petition to be presented in the upcoming legislative session that calls for:
“The provincial government cannot boast a strong economy if all workers are without a healthy and safe workplace - the government’s multitude of failures during this pandemic have made that perfectly clear,” said Beck.
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Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.