Legislation to Curb Sixty-Hour Work Week
In late April, the provincial government introduced amendments to the Employment Standards Act to reduce the legal workweek from 60 hours to 48 hours. If passed, the legislation will require employers to apply to the Ministry of Labour and obtain the employee's written consent to work more than 48 hours per week. To make the process as simple as possible, employers will be able to apply without fee and on-line.
In his introduction of the proposed amendments, Labour Minister Chris Bentley identified "a lack of awareness of rights and responsibilities by employees and employers, and the lack of enforcement of those rights and responsibilities" as the "two biggest obstacles to ensuring the Act protects those it must".
To address this, the government will also be launching a multilingual awareness building initiative to ensure employees and employers know about the provisions of the Employment Standards Act. And, the Minister promised that, "starting today, enforcement is back in style."
For more information please visit:
For the proposed amendments please visit:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/documents/Bills/38_Parliament/Session1/b063_e.htm
Source: United Ways of Ontario's Government Relations Bulletin - Issue dd April 30, 2004
Other news ...
Consultation
Launched on Rental Housing
Legislation to Curb Sixty-Hour Work Week
New Provincial Rent Bank and Energy Emergency Fund
Legislation to Allow Family Medical Leave
Report Finds Domestic Homicides Predictable and Preventable
Minimum Wage Workers and Low-paid Worker Mobility
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Page last updated April 30, 2004