Nova Scotia Federation of Labour Statement on the Respecting Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act

Yesterday, as the Nova Scotia Legislature opened, the government introduced the Respecting Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act. While we are pleased to see the government taking steps to improve workers’ compensation, we are concerned with a number of aspects contained in this legislation.

We support the government’s effort to review the workers’ compensation system every five years. This review process is crucial for ensuring that the system adapts to the evolving needs of workers in our province. We look forward to collaborating with both the government and stakeholders to ensure these reviews lead to meaningful improvements for injured workers.

Injured workers will benefit from increased awareness and understanding of their rights under the workers’ compensation system. By having a better grasp of the processes, injured workers can make more informed decisions regarding their claims, treatment options, and return-to-work strategies. This will ensure they are better protected and supported during what can be a difficult time.

However, there are areas in the legislation where we believe more must be done. We are particularly concerned about the provision allowing workers up to five days of unpaid leave per year for their own sickness or injury and three days for the illness or injury of a child, parent, or family member, as well as for medical appointments. This does not go far enough. We believe workers deserve at least ten paid sick days. The logic is clear: if a worker cannot afford to take time off to recover, they will be forced to work while sick. This not only puts their health at risk but also their co-workers. Ten paid sick days would be cost-neutral for the government and would ensure workers can get well without worrying about making ends meet.

We also need more time to thoroughly analyze other aspects of the bill, particularly the provisions around physical and psychological health and safety. The bill broadens the scope of workplace safety considerations, and we want to ensure it truly addresses the challenges workers face.

Additionally, we are disappointed that the government and WCB missed the opportunity to address workplace violence and harassment more comprehensively under the new ILO Convention 190, which has already been adopted by the federal government. Employers must establish and implement policies to prevent harassment in the workplace. We need a stronger commitment to enforcing these policies, reinforcing the importance of a safe and respectful work environment for all Nova Scotians.

We will continue to review this legislation closely and advocate for the changes needed to ensure the strongest protections for workers in this province.