PROVINCIAL EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS CODES ARE A JOKE

The problem is far too many employers know this and are pleased with it. The reality is that when labour legislation is passed in this province it's with business and industry being kept in the loop via wink, wink, nudge, nudge lots of loopholes. Also far too many employers know that enforcement of labour standards as well as health and safety standards are a joke. I can't believe how many years I worked in non union construction and never once saw a health & safety inspector. I can't believe that I worked for employers who had had horrendous accidents and there was no followup to see if things had improved.

Yesterday's Waterloo Region Record has an Opinion article by Carol Goar. The title is "Labour code neglects most vulnerable workers " and she is right on the money. Ms. Goar states that one in five workers have little or no protection from unreasonable bosses who break labour laws or circumvent them. From migrant workers to casual, part time and contract workers, far too many don't know their rights and even if they do they face being fired, blacklisted or deported for even complaining. I suggest that the real fraction is a lot higher than one in five. This is what is so infuriating to the majority when they see unionized public service workers who can't be disciplined much less dismissed for cause. Meanwhile their jobs hang by a thread at the whim of employers who aren't even truly accountable to labour laws.

Apparently there is a report recently written by The law Commissiobn of Ontario titled "Vulnerable Workers and Precarious Work". The industries most in need of reform include agriculture, construction, restaurants, hotels and home care. Does anyone remember the scandal earlier this summer involving restaurants taking a percentage of employees tips? This is just the tip of the iceberg. It's up to the Province of Ontario to update their labour legislation and standards but don't hold your breath. Far too many industries thrive on exploiting workers legally or illegally and they've been lobbying government for decades. Similarily ask yourselves where the majority of politicians come from. It's certainly not from the working classes. It's teachers, lawyers and business owners which is why we continue to get legislation and lack of enforcement which suits them just fine.