We are updating our information for workers and will post it here soon. If you need help, call us at 416-531-0778 (Toll-free: 1-855-531-0778), and ask to speak to someone in your language. Our office will be closed from December 24 to January 1.
Bill 47, the Making Ontario Open for Business Act becomes the new reality for our workplace rights on January 1, 2019. This new legislation cancels the $15 minimum wage and takes away important protections such as paid sick days and equal pay for equal work. The Workers’ Action Centre, along with our many allies in the Fight for $15 & Fairness will continue to push to challenge precarious work, update our labour rights and continue the fight for decent wages and working conditions.
Below is a list of some of the new changes as of January 1, 2019:
- $14 general minimum wage
- $13.15 minimum wage for students under 18
- $12.20 minimum wage for liquor servers
- These minimum wages will be frozen until October 1, 2020 when they will increase according to inflation every year.
- Job-protected leaves for all workers: You get 3 days if you are sick; 3 days for family responsibilities, such as an illness or urgent matter of a family member; and 2 days for bereavement. Your employer is allowed to ask you for evidence in order to take these leaves. We no longer get any paid sick days.
- 1 week notice or pay in lieu of notice when temporary agency workers are terminated from assignments that were supposed to last 3 months or longer.
- Temporary agencies and their client companies are jointly responsible for unpaid wages, overtime, public holiday pay and injuries.
- Misclassification is illegal. If you are an employee who is being misclassified as self-employed, call us for help.
- 3 weeks of vacation after 5 years of working at the same company.
- Domestic or sexual violence leave of up to 10 individual days of leave and up to 15 weeks of leave if you or your child is experiencing or being threatened with domestic or sexual violence. The first 5 days of leave each year will be paid.
We are committed to defending and expanding these labour laws. Will you help us fight for workers’ rights in 2019? Here are a few things you can do:
- When you have a problem at work, call us at 416-531-0778. All calls are free and confidential. We also have a toll-free number which is 1-855-531-0778.
- Sign up for Action Alerts at the bottom of the page.
- Read and share information about your rights at work as we add more material in the coming weeks.
- Join and support the Fight for $15 and Fairness. Visit 15andFairness.org.
- Support the Workers’ Action Centre.