Government must put in place conditions for safe workplaces

January 20, 2021

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to the Minister of Labour’s news conference on workplace inspections:

“The Ford government is failing to provide people with safe workplaces. And it is contributing to the spread of Covid-19.

It is unacceptable that over 30% of big stores are not complying with public health measures. Meanwhile, Ford is allowing them to sell non-essential goods.

From Amazon warehouses to food processing plants, long term care homes to big box stores, essential workers, many from racialized communities, are being put at risk without adequate support from the Ford government.

The government needs to put in place a plan for safe workplaces that includes paid sick days, rapid testing in workplaces, higher fines for non-compliance and vaccination plans for workers in essential businesses.

We owe it to essential workers providing us with essential goods and services to make sure their workplaces are safe.”

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