Federation of Labour calling for adjustment to Manitoba’s minimum wage

Gone but not forgotten, that was the case made by the Manitoba Federation of Labour on Thursday, as they called on the Kinew government to repeal the minimum wage law of former Premier Brian Pallister, in favour of one that allows more Manitobans to earn a livable wage.

“Even though this government has been in power for nearly a year, Brian Pallister and his former PC government continue to call the shots when it comes to Manitoba’s minimum wage,” explained Kevin Rebeck, the president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour.

“It’s time for a new approach for minimum wage in our province one that makes sure that low-wage workers earn enough to cover groceries, rent and other essential costs.”

According to the latest living wage calculation from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), one in four Manitobans currently fail to earn enough to cover their basic needs such as rent and groceries.

The CCPA says in order to halt this trend, a living wage of $19.21 an hour, which would represent the highest minimum wage in Canada, is needed to ensure more Manitoban’s are thriving instead of simply surviving.

“When we talk about affordability in this province, we need to talk about raising incomes for the workers that do essential work day in and day out,” explained Niall Harney, a senior researcher with CCPA.

When asked how the proposed wage hike would impact businesses, Rebeck says that the majority of workers earning less than a living wage being employed by the largest of businesses. It’s time for business to learn they can’t have their cake and eat it too.

“They can’t say they can’t find workers and pay poverty level wages. They need to live up to their obligation as an employer. In a country like Canada there is no reason that people that work fulltime live in poverty that needs to change,” said Rebeck.

Next week the Manitoba government will implement a 50 cent raise to the province’s minimum wage from $15.30 to $15.80 an hour, with Premier Kinew reiterating his party’s commitment to raising more Manitobans above the poverty level.

“Every single deal that we have arrived at since coming into government has delivered good wages and fare raises to working Manitobans.”