For Immediate Release

Aug. 12, 2010

B.C. LIBERALS ALLOW WORKER ABUSE TO HAPPEN UNDER THEIR WATCH

New Democrats Calling for Full Investigation

VANCOUVER – The B.C. Liberals should conduct a full investigation into the alleged worker abuse in Golden to ensure that other workers do not face exploitation, say New Democrats.

Immigrant workers employed by Khaira Enterprises Ltd., were found to be working in squalid conditions, with no access to clean water or bathrooms. The workers were paid meagre wages, and in some cases, paycheques bounced.

“The type of exploitation that these immigrant workers faced is deplorable,” said Chouhan. “The government needs to ensure that they are not allowing any of this treatment to happen on a contract paid for by taxpayer dollars.”

The B.C. Liberals cut the budget for the Employment Standards Department by 18.3 per cent after the election. This comes on top of the Liberals’ gutting of employment standards, which increased vulnerability for at-risk workers by limiting employment protections and undermining the ability of workers to negotiate a fair wage.

Chouhan noted that between 2002 and 2004 alone, the B.C. Liberal government made 42 regressive changes to the Employment Standards Act, which directly hurt workers.

“The fact that this serious situation happened right under the nose of the B.C. Liberal government is appalling,” noted Chouhan. “Government should be protecting workers, not allowing these draconian work environments.”

“The Ministry of Labour needs to put in place measures to ensure the safety of workers employed in areas of isolation, such as these campsites.”

The Carole James New Democrats are working with British Columbians from all walks of life, all corners of B.C., and all sectors of our economy to build a better British Columbia for the people of this province.

--30--