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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
VICTORIA – Labour and Citizens’ Services Minister Olga Ilich today introduced legislative changes to improve protection for farm workers and strengthen B.C.’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).
Introduced during Farm Safety Week, the legislation provides for the cancellation or suspension of a farm labour contractor’s licence for safety violations. In addition, when an unsafe farm labour contractor vehicle is taken off the road following a roadside check, the contractor will be required to pay for alternative transportation to the workplace. The legislation will also require farm producers to hire only licensed farm labour contractors.
“These changes to the Employment Standards Act are part of our package of farm worker protections and reaffirm our commitment to ensure the safety of all workers in our province,” said Ilich. “This legislation also includes changes to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to further streamline its provisions and ensure that it remains the strongest legislation of its kind in Canada.”
The amendments to FOIPPA address recommendations of the special committee that reviewed the act. The act is amended from time to time to ensure that it remains a workable and relevant document for the public, the information and privacy commissioner and the more than 2,000 public bodies to which it applies.
The legislation also includes changes that will allow for timely decision-making on applications and complaints to the Labour Relations Board and an administrative change to the Workers Compensation Act.
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Communications Director 250 387-3134 |
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