Policy and Research
Unpaid wages, Unprotected Workers: A Survey of Employment Standards Violations
Released on May 12, 2011, this 18-page report reveals the everyday experience of people in low-wage and precarious work. It is a world of work where the basic protections of core labour standards that many Ontario workers take for granted are denied -- where wages, overtime and vacation goes unpaid and people work at less than minimum wage. Based on a survey of 520 people in low-wage and precarious work, this study demonstrates that the lack of protection in Ontario workplaces leaves many of the workers surveyed in significant economic hardship.
Working on the Edge
On May 30, 2007, WAC released its 82-page research report "Working on the Edge" which documents workers’ experiences of precarious work, and features stories from those who live with the grim daily realities of working on the edge. The report also proposes detailed and comprehensive policy recommendations, including reformed employer-practices, equality for all workers, amendments to the Employment Standards Act to cover temp agency workers, changes to minimum wage policy, and more effective enforcement of the Employment Standards Act.
Taking Action Against Wage Theft: Recommendations for Change (May 2011)
Action must be taken when an average of one in three people in low waged, precarious work face violations of core minimum standards. This paper details WAC’s demands to the Ontario government for updates to employment legislation and improvements to enforcement procedures to ensure that vulnerable workers are protected.
Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs regarding Schedule 9, Bill 68, An Act to promote Ontario as open for business by amending or repealing certain Acts (July 2010)
WAC, in association with Parkdale Community Legal Services, oppose changes to the Employment Standards Act that will create more barriers for workers, while making it easier for employers to avoid paying what they are required to by law.
Proposed Amendments to Bill 210, An Act to protect foreign nationals employed as live-in caregivers and in other prescribed employment (November 2009)
WAC, in association with Parkdale Community Legal Services and the Caregivers’ Action Centre, recommended important amendments to Bill 210 - and pushed to extend these protections to workers under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program.
Submission to the Ministry of Labour Consultation on Foreign and Resident Employment Recruitment in Ontario (July 2009)
WAC, in association with the Caregivers Action Centre and Parkdale Community Legal Services, has prepared recommendations to update employment standards to protect these vulnerable workers. Regulating recruitment practices and employment of foreign workers is essential. However, there are many other issues that need to be addressed to reduce the barriers that foreign temporary workers face in accessing their employment standards rights.
Proposed Amendments to Bill 139 – An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (March 2009)
The Workers’ Action Centre and Parkdale Community Legal Services are recommending important amendments to Bill 139 to ensure that the Bill achieves its goal of fairness and protection for temporary agency workers.
WAC Submission to the Ontario Government
Consultation on Work Through Temporary Help Agencies (June 2008)
As part of the Ministry of Labour Consultation, WAC, in association with the Caregivers Action Centre and Parkdale Community Legal Services, has prepared recommendations to update employment standards to protect these vulnerable workers. In addition other means of protection are highlighted - the right to collective representation and real access to human rights, health and safety protection and workers’ compensation.
WAC Submission on Priorities for the Ontario 2008 Budget (January 2008)
In January 2008, WAC prepared a written submission to
the Minister of Finance, Dwight Duncan, on priorities
for the Ontario 2008 budget. “Much can be done to
move our province forward on a path that prioritizes
productivity not low wages and effective labour market
regulation for a strong economy.” Deena Ladd, WAC Coordinator
WAC Review of Bill 161 to “regulate the temp industry” (December 2006)
Late in 2006 Liberal on introduced Bill 161 to licence
the temp industry. In December 2006 WAC, in association
with Parkdale Community Legal Services, prepared an
analysis of the Bill 161. Also read our editorial in The
Toronto Star, December 18, 2006 “Province must tighten
Bill to protect Temps”.
Working Yet Poor in Ontario: A Call for Fair Wages and Working
Conditions, and Government Action (March 2006)
In March 2006 the Workers’ Action Centre worked with two
community organizations, Campaign 2000 and the Centre
for Public Justice, to produce this bulletin to raise
awareness on low wages, work and what really faces us on
the job. Also included with the bulletin is a "Community
Action Guide" with ideas about what action you can take
in your community. Help spread the word, and join us in
the fight to improve wages and working conditions!
Effective and Enforced Employment Standards for Improved Income Security (2005)
In 2004-05, WAC participated in the Task Force on
Modernizing Income Security for Working-Age Adults (MISWAA).
We submitted this brief in 2005 to the Task Force,
illustrating the need for a strong floor of basic
standards and expanded protection for workers in
unstable jobs in Ontario.
Modernizing Part III of the Canada Labour Code (2005)
In October 2005, as part of a Federal government review
of the Canada Labour Code, WAC (in association with our
partner the Employment Standards Working Group) prepared
a submission calling for improvements. The Canada Labour
Code regulates workplaces under federal regulation - for
example, railways, banks, airlines. Much of the Canada
Labour Code dates back to 1965 – yet our workplaces have
changed radically since then.
Breaking the Myth of Flexible Work (2000)
The Workers’ Action Centre had its early roots in the Contingent Workers Project. Their study and survey was conducted from October to December 1999. It was initiated to begin to understand the issues that face lower waged temporary workers, contract workers, self-employed and part-time workers, and multiple job holders in Toronto.
