JOB PROTECTION FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE LEAVE

Working people and their families will benefit from improved job-protected leaves allowing them time to care for seriously ill or dying loved ones. The Government of Saskatchewan today announced it is amending The Labour Standards Act to improve job-protected leaves and, as well, to improve the functioning of the Minimum Wage Board.

"These amendments will provide workers with job protection while they access compassionate care benefits recently introduced by the federal government as part of the Employment Insurance (EI) program," Labour Minister Deb Higgins said.

Provincial legislation currently allows working people up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave in a year to care for a seriously ill or injured family member. Since January, working people who qualify have been able to get up to 16 weeks of compassionate care leave benefits in a year through the EI program.

Higgins said there will be only minimal costs associated with the change because The Labour Standards Act already provides 12 weeks of job protection for workers who are ill or who require time off to care for a family member who is ill. A greater cost could be incurred if, and only if, an employee were to access the compassionate care job protection twice in one year.

The Labour Standards Act is also being amended to require the Minimum Wage Board to review the minimum wage at least once every two years.

"Minimum wage earners should not have to wait years between reviews, nor should employers have to worry about large 'catch up' increases that are more likely to result from infrequent reviews," Higgins said.

"Requiring the Board to review the minimum wage at least once every two years will ensure the minimum wage more accurately reflects the economic circumstances of the day."

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For More Information, Contact:

Dallas McQuarrie Labour Regina Phone: (306)787-1545