Nova Scotia proposes emergency leave for workers; New law would protect temporary foreign workers and limit stays; Alberta premier and cabinet take pay cuts
Nova Scotia proposes emergency leave for workers
Halifax — Nova Scotia has proposed amendments to the Labour Standards Code that would allow workers to take a protected, unpaid leave during a national disaster or public health risk to attend to their needs or help a family member. Employers’ and employees’ emergency leave rights and responsibilities would be similar to parental or maternity leaves. At the end of an unpaid emergency leave, employers must take the employee back without loss of benefits or seniority. Employers can ask an employee to provide proof of eligibility for an unpaid leave. If an employer does not take an employee back, the employee could file a complaint with the Department of Labour and Workforce Development. Possible remedies include reinstating the employee or financial compensation.
New law would protect temporary foreign workers and limit stays
Ottawa — Proposed changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program aim to protect workers from abuse and cap the number of years a worker can stay in Canada. The changes would result in tougher assessments for companies looking to recruit foreign workers, said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. Employers that renege on promises regarding wages or working conditions would be prohibited from hiring people under the program for two years and their names would be posted on the Citizen and Immigration website. Under the changes, workers would be allowed to work for a cumulative four years in Canada and then be ineligible to work in the country again for six years.
Alberta premier and cabinet take pay cuts
Edmonton — Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and his senior executive team are taking pay cuts in light of the tough economy. Stelmach has taken a 15-per-cent pay cut ($12,196), while ministers are reducing their cabinet pay by 10 per cent ($6,391 each). “It is important that my government lead by example. We should not be exempt from the need to tighten our spending during these difficult economic times,” said Stelmach. In addition, Stelmach’s chief of staff Ron Glen and Brian Manning, head of the provincial civil service, are each taking a 10-per-cent pay cut. In February, MLAs in Alberta agreed to freeze their pay for the 2009-2010 budget year.
