Opposition Leader to meet with municipal
officials and plant workers in Jackson’s Arm
Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones will be at the town hall
in Jackson’s Arm tomorrow, June 25th, to discuss issues facing
the region and the impact the closure of the community’s shrimp plant will
have on displaced workers in the area. The meetings are scheduled to start
at 1:30pm.
“I look forward to meeting with the mayors from the
region, municipal officials, plant workers and FFAW representatives to
listen to their issues and how we can address them in the coming weeks and
months,” said Ms. Jones. “There are 120 plant workers affected and it is
very important that we develop options to help them through this difficult
time. While government is not willing to provide anything more than
make-work jobs later this fall, communities like Jackson’s Arm are
struggling now. The minister continues to hang his hat on the MOU process,
but it is still unclear what this will do to help displaced workers. More
needs to be done and I am hopeful that these meetings will result in options
being presented.”
Jones says the issue of Jackson’s Arm has been raised a
number of times in the House of Assembly during the past several weeks,
however, no substantial commitments of assistance have been given by
government.
“Many of the
workers experienced a shortened season last year and will run out of their
Employment benefits as early as July and August. Community Enhancement or
make-work projects will not be available until the fall and many of these
people will be left without any income for a period of time. Unless
government reacts more quickly to these situations, affected residents will
be forced to move away from their rural communities in search of work. This
will be a disastrous consequence for rural Newfoundland and Labrador.”- 30 -
Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
Tel: (709) 729-6151 or (709) 687-0477