Federation says P.E.I. labour standards lag badly behind

Employers in fish processing, the peat moss industry and trucking can work employees long hours without paying overtime

Charlottetown (30 March 2006) - The Prince Edward Island Federation of Labour says the province lags behind other parts of Canada and tougher employment standards are needed.

Federation president Carl Pursey told an employment standards review committee Thursday that changes to legislation protecting workers are long overdue.

In a 28-page report, Pursey said enforcement should be increased along with tougher standards. The review is the first by the province in 10 years.

Overtime, hours of work, minimum wages and statutory holidays are all areas that should be addressed because P.E.I.'s weak standards don't measure up to those in other jurisdictions, he argued.

For example, people in the fish processing industry can work 75 hours a week before they are entitled to any overtime while those in the peat moss industry can work up to 60 hours with no extra pay and truck drivers up to 55 hours.

"We feel these should be brought down," Pursey said. "People should be entitled to get overtime with a lot less hours"

The review is expected to be completed by June. The federation represents about 10,000 members across the province. NUPGE