New Brunswick’s Green Party is committing to an increase in the minimum wage and better employment standards, if elected.
Leader David Coon made the announcement during a stop in Fredericton on Monday, “A Green government would recognize these essential workers, who often work for minimum wage, by increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour.”
Coon says a Green government would also offer wage subsidies to cover the cost of minimum wage increases for small businesses and non profits, who do not have enough profit to cover it.
He says the pandemic has shown us how many workers are essential, but undervalued.
“Working conditions need to improve as well. Our labour standards act has not been improved significantly for a long time. Those who work for minimum wage, or a little bit more, are paying the price,” Coon says.
Coon also announced that a Green government would offer wage subsidies to help cover the cost of the minimum wage increase for small businesses and non-profits that do not have enough revenue or profit to pay for the minimum wage increase.
He also made promises to guarantee sick leave, vacation, and paid overtime for all workers under the Employment Standards Act.
“I think that probably most people don’t understand that if you are making more than minimum wage, you are only paid time and a half of minimum wage, if you work overtime. We would ensure that the labour standards act would be amended to ensure your get paid time and a half of your wage,” Coon says.
“These are difficult times for small businesses, as well as their employees,” said Coon. “A Green government would be there to help small businesses make these adjustments.”
