Labour Minister Kevin Flynn says the first review of the laws governing Ontario workplaces in decades will help protect a growing number of vulnerable workers.
An expert panel released an interim report Wednesday on a joint review of the Employment Standards Act and the Labour Relations Act after holding public consultations and getting 200 submissions from employers, unions and workers.
Flynn says the fast pace of economic change, globalization, trade deals and technology resulted in more service sector and white-collar jobs in Ontario but fewer manufacturing jobs, changing the province's labour market.
He's worried young people and new Canadians are being taken advantage of by some "bad guys" who don't provide adequate pay, vacations or benefits, especially in the retail, hospitality and construction sectors.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce says employers are concerned about how changes in labour laws would impact the cost of doing business and want to see more education and enforcement of the rules.
"The government of Ontario should conduct a cost-benefit analysis to assess the impact on jobs and the economy for any changes to labour and employment legislation," the business lobby said in a news release.
The panel, which looked at everything from union certification rules to frequency of workplace inspections, will take comments on its interim report until October before it makes final recommendations.
