Sask. Party’s budget fails workers during a time of crisis
Released April 6, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2021
Sask. Party’s budget fails workers during a time of crisis
Today’s provincial budget missed a crucial opportunity to invest in working people in Saskatchewan at a time when workers are struggling due to unemployment, illness, and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a continued lack of action by the Sask. Party government to enact measures to contain the spread of the virus.
“Today was an opportunity for the government to put workers first, and make meaningful investments that would create jobs and get people back to work, make workplaces safer, and ensure that workers have the supports they need to be able to get through the rest of the pandemic,” said Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) President Lori Johb. “Unfortunately, this budget offers very little for the working people who have been on the front lines of this crisis since day one.”
Critical items missing from today’s budget include:
- A plan to create good jobs to get Saskatchewan people back to work
- Paid sick days for all workers to stop the growing spread of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan workplaces
- Investments in safer workplaces including proper PPE and rapid testing in all workplaces
- Introduction of a $15 an hour minimum wage that would boost the economy
- Meaningful investment in our public services and crown corporations
- Wage top ups for front line workers
- A plan to fix our broken long term care system
“Working people in this province have been struggling for far too long- and the Sask. Party government’s inaction during this time of crisis has only made the situation worse,” Johb said.
“This budget leaves out workers and does not come close to addressing the issues they are facing- from low wages and unemployment, and health care and education systems that have been pushed to their limits, to a lack of available supports if they become sick while on the job or have to isolate due to an outbreak in their workplace.
We need a plan to build back better and get through this pandemic, but sadly this budget misses the mark.”
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