The minimum wage is now so far below the real poverty level it become a disgusting human rights violation in this country.
The minimum wage should be the average cost of a one bedroom suite and utilities times 2.
So in Vancouver, where the average price for a one bedroom suite is $1000, add $300 for utilities (as if they would be that low) and double it. That's $2600 minimum wage for 40 hours a week. In other cities it would be lower because the cost of a suite is lower.
Right now, someone on minimum wage makes about $1300 before taxes. Its an unlivable wage.
As well, we need to make it illegal to make someone work a holiday for less than double their standard wage. Its happening all over Canada, poor people work holidays and get another day off. They should get 2 days off because they worked a holiday. 2 days off with pay. Almost every worker in Canada gets "laid off" or an "unpaid holiday" at Christmas. Right when they need money the most, at the holidays, this Christian country starves them - legally. Its a huge ripoff.
If someone works all year for a company, they should get paid for any time the business is closed during the Christmas break.
Its costing our society more than you can imagine having people working 12 hour days. People who work too many hours have way more sick days, more serious problems when they do get sick, and bring down the quality of life all around them.
In the last 20 years the gov't has stripped away work hour limits. We need to bring them back. Overtime should be once in a blue moon. It should cost the employer a lot. Instead we have companies where people are working 12 hour days 5-6 days a week and getting their 2 days off split so they only get one day at a time off. It makes people sick.
If it was illegal to work over 40 hours a week, there wouldn't be any job shortages anywhere.
We (had) a legislated 40 hour work week for a reason. During the industrial revolution workers were exploited by the land/resource/factory owners and were working longer than a person should to be healthy. So we had worker's riots and protests, where cops and private security killed people for daring to speak up, and in the end they legislated the work day to 8 hours. For a reason. It's healthier for everybody, and there are more and better paying positions for everyone.
In most Canadian workplaces, workers are EXPECTED to work through their lunch and their breaks.
Wise up Jack! The NDP's core supporters are working class and they're tired of being too tired when they get home to do anything but sleep.
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