Unions of Nova Scotia Municipalities

Province Seeking Input on Foreign-Worker Regulations

A discussion paper seeking input on regulations to protect foreign workers was released on January 16.

Amendments to the Labour Standards Code were introduced in spring 2011 to protect foreign workers from activities such as recruiters charging fees and workers arriving to find conditions and compensation changed from what was originally agreed upon.

The discussion paper covers several topics, including:

· categories of workers to be included
· recruiter licensing
· employer registration
· protection of foreign workers' wages and benefits
· record keeping

After compiling feedback from the discussion paper, the department will finalize the regulations. Once the regulations are in place, all of the amendments will be proclaimed and come into full effect.

A copy of the discussion paper is available at http://www.gov.ns.ca/lae. For information call 1-888-315-0110. Deadline for submissions and comments is February 3.

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