More voices are calling on the Ontario government to step up protection for workers against wage theft in the 2013 budget. Finance Minister Charles Sousa announced today the budget will be tabled on May 2.
In a Toronto Star op-ed on Friday, United Way Toronto and the Mowat Centre call on the Ontario government to fulfill their commitment to funding proactive enforcement. The authors call on the government to ensure the committed $5.5 million in funding is in the 2013 budget and to update employment standards to better protect precarious workers.
This follows a Toronto Star editorial calling on the Wynne government to take action on unpaid wages and precarious work, including ensuring resources for enforcement in the 2013 budget. The editorial states “It’s the last chance for the government to make good on worker protection promises made in its 2008 five-year anti-poverty strategy. After five years, it’s finally time for Ontario to move in this crucial area.”
WAC joined CUPE Ontario and other labour and community groups setting up a symbolic queue outside Queen’s Park today. The action highlighted the more than 2 million Ontarians who have been left waiting for government action on vital public services and poverty reduction. WAC members joined the queue – sharing our message for the immediate increase of the minimum wage to $14/hour and more money for enforcement of labour laws to stop wage theft in the 2013 budget!
As one of the placards read: We are waiting for real action, not empty promises.