The Ministry of Labour is aiming to reduce the number of inspectors tasked with investigating workplace abuses, according to an internal union bulletin obtained by the Star. A government hiring freeze instituted last year already slowed plans to double the ministry’s complement of employment standards officers, introduced under the Liberals in 2017 through Bill 148. Employment standards officers investigate complaints and inspect workplaces for issues like failing to pay minimum wage, overtime, or public holiday pay. “We conclude that there is a serious problem with enforcement of Employment Standards Act (ESA) provisions,” the report reads. “Based on our clinic’s over 30 years experience working with low-income workers in precarious employment, enforcement is the key to ensuring their rights are being protected,” she said.

Source: thestar June 10, 2019 09:02 UTC