WORKERS FRONT OF MIND IN NEW SASK. NDP BILL

Official Opposition Labour Critic introduces the Saskatchewan Employment (Fairer Workplace, Better Jobs) Act

REGINA - Late yesterday, Opposition Labour Critic Nicole Sarauer introduced Bill 613 - The Saskatchewan Employment (Fairer Workplace, Better Jobs) Act. The Act would notably strengthen workplace protections and increase fairness for workers currently struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

“At a time when so many workers are struggling with rising costs, struggling to just make ends meet, we need to ensure that we’re giving them a fair wage. We shouldn’t be settling for last in the nation,” said Sarauer. “This bill will not only ensure that workers struggling with rising costs get a boost but will also guarantee that all workers have the protections they deserve when it comes to harassment and discrimination.”

The Act would:

Establish a $15/hr minimum wage starting January 1, 2024
Guarantee 10 days of paid sick leave for all Saskatchewan workers
Set limits on non-disclosure agreements in situations involving harassment or discrimination
Provide further requirements on employers regarding anti-harassment policies and require them to report to the ministry the number of harassment investigations conducted each year

Saskatchewan currently has the lowest minimum wage in Canada at a time when Saskatchewan residents consistently top nationwide polling as being the most concerned about their financial security.

The non-disclosure agreement provisions within the Act mirror legislation that already exists in Prince Edward Island, as well as bills that had been introduced in Manitoba and Nova Scotia and have been called for by the National Canadian Bar Association. The anti-harassment provisions mirror what exists in the federal legislation, the Canada Labour Code.

The bill passed first reading on November 8, 2023.

-30-

Latest posts

STATEMENT FROM SASKATCHEWAN NDP LEADER CARLA BECK ON THE THREAT OF A TRADE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES

Regardless of how events unfolded today in Washington, we are still working day and night to prepare for all possible outcomes.

SASKATCHEWAN PRODUCERS AND PROVINCE LOSE BILLIONS, MOE STAYS SILENT

REGINA – Saskatchewan has lost billions of dollars in value-added investment in just a week while the Sask. Party Government remains in hiding and has offered no plans to protect jobs or investment and to recover from this $4.5 billion loss under Scott Moe.

Statement from Leroy Laliberte about the lack of mental health and addictions support in the North

I’ve heard from many residents in my constituency who are concerned with the Sask. Party government's plans for addictions care in our region. They need to go back to the drawing board.

MAJOR SASK. PARTY DONOR LOBBIED FOR BUNGE PRIOR TO MERGER THAT WILL KILL SASKATCHEWAN JOBS

REGINA – Bunge hired a major Sask. Party donor to lobby Premier Scott Moe and his inner circle on the company's controversial merger with Viterra.