Labour ministry explains workers’ rights in Sask. during a pandemic

Saskatchewan’s economy will creak open a little more on Tuesday, putting hundreds of people back on the job when the second phase of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan starts.

However, there will still be a worldwide pandemic on, so some are asking what their rights are as workers.

There are basic rights that workers have had in Saskatchewan for years. They include the right to know the hazards at work and how to control them, the right to participate in finding and controlling workplace hazards, and the right to refuse work that might be unusually dangerous.

But, according to Deputy Labour Minister Donna Johnson, COVID-19 doesn’t count as an unusual danger.

“If there’s no reason to say that the workplace is unsafe, then the employee essentially does not have any ability to refuse work, and so if they choose not to work they are, essentially, telling their employer that they choose not to work anymore,” said Johnson.

Johnson said when looking at the virus, it’s important to take into consideration what we know about the science.

“We’ve heard the chief medical health officer say often enough that (you can fend off the virus) if you are keeping the two-metre distancing, if you’re washing your hands regularly, you’re not touching your face,” Johnson said.

“These are the most important measures you can take to be confident that you’re going to get through this and that we’re all going to get through this together.”

Johnson said employers have a responsibility to keep things safe and workers have a responsibility to keep the workplace safe as well.

When it comes to people who have to be away from work for medical reasons, such as having to self-isolate, the province implemented job protections in March. That includes if someone is a vulnerable person or is in a vulnerable circumstance.

Those who are still worried are encouraged by Johnson to talk to their employers and have conversations about the guidelines and precautions in place.

“Most of what we’re dealing with right now I think is the uncertainty of the current environment. And I think most people can deal with it best by continuing to keep the lines of communication open and talking about the reality of what they’re working on,” said Johnson.

If someone is at work and they have concerns, Johnson said they should take it to their boss. If that doesn’t work, they can go to their occupational health and safety committee.

If those steps don’t address things, then she said the worker can call OH&S themselves and talk about concerns.

Following up on a complaint, if there were real concerns to be looked at, Johnson said an inspection could be warranted; it would be done by public health or labour and OH&S. She wasn’t specific but said that, depending on what comes out of an inspection, they’ll decide what enforcement method might need to used.