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Yvonne Jones, Opposition Critic for Labrador Affairs and MHA for the
District of Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair, says the promised assistance
program for crab plant workers must be made available to workers in Labrador
immediately following the closure of the season next week on June 20th.
"The Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and the Premier have
committed to providing assistance to these workers because of the strike
caused by government implementing the Raw Material Sharing program," said
Jones. "There was a promise from government made to the people suffering in
the plants due to the long labour dispute and it is time for the program to
commence.
"Plants in southern Labrador will be forced to close next week due to the
shorter scheduled season in that area. The four plants in my district will
close, placing up to 400 people in Cartwright, Mary’s Harbour, Black Tickle
and St. Lewis out of work with only 200-250 qualifying hours for Employment
Insurance.
"This is just a preview of the thousands of workers in this province that
will be impacted by the strike that occurred at the beginning of the fishing
season. An assistance program was promised and it is essential that
government announce wage and program details so that these individuals can
work enough hours to qualify for Employment Insurance.
"The need exists, a promise was made and the time to act is now before
these individuals are forced to go without a steady income due to a labour
dispute created by government. I am calling on Premier Williams and Minister
Jack Byrne to immediately implement their promise to the people of this
region." |