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Some facts about Precarious Work in Ontario…

  •  In Ontario, about 22% of jobs can be classified as precarious work

  •  About 33% of part-time workers are in positions with low wages, no union and no pension compared to 9% or full-time employees

Precarious work is no stranger to Ontarians. Currently 1 in 3 jobs in Ontario is either contract, part-time or self employed.  While working in these jobs many Canadians are denied basic rights such as employment insurance, public holiday pay, health and safety coverage and job security.  Because of this, many Ontario based organizations have been fighting to update Ontario labour laws to protect the many people working in temporary, contract and unstable work.

One of the leading Ontario organizations is the Make It Fair initiative. This organization is centered on its campaign: Fight for $15 and Fairness.

Another organization in Ontario fighting against precarious work is the Workers’ Action Centre​

.  The Workers’ Action Centre is an organization that seeks to improve the lives and working conditions of people working in low-wage and unstable jobs.

The Fight Against precarious work in Ontario

cracking down on precarious work in Canada

One huge issue with precarious work is the inability to unionize. With the rise of part-time employment and precarious work  there was a steady decline of union members in Canada.

Unifor was created in response to the changes in the Canadian employment system.  

Precarious work on a global scale

"Companies worldwide are shirking their legal obligations to workers by replacing permanent jobs with contract and temporary work."

The International Labor Rights Forum is a human rights organization that advocates for workers globally.”

"The Union." Unifor. N.p., 2017. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. <http://www.unifor.org/en>.

"Organizing For Fair Employment." Workers' Action Centre. N.p., 2009. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. <http://www.workersactioncentre.org/>.

Vosko, Leah F. "Precarious Employment: Towards an Improved Understanding of Labour Market Insecurity." Precarious Employment: Understanding Labour Market Insecurity in Canada. N.p.: McGill-Queen's, 2006. 3-18. Google Books. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

"Make It Fair." Make It Fair. Ontario Federation of Labour, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. <http://www.makeitfair.ca/>.

"Precarious Work." International Labour Rights Forum. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017. <http://www.laborrights.org/issues/precarious-work>.

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