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Premier expresses concern regarding IOCC hiring practices for Labrador West Premier Danny Williams has written the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOCC) expressing his concern after recent reports that the company may be hiring non-Newfoundland and Labrador residents for employment as equipment operators at the IOCC site in Labrador City. Premier Williams expressed his concern that people from outside the Labrador West region will be brought into the site to work. "This region, in particular, has an experienced workforce as a result of many years of IOCC operation at the site," said Premier Williams. "I firmly believe the corporate citizens that benefit from the development of our province�s resources should hire first from qualified candidates here in our province, as IOCC has done admirably in the past. Considering the fact that mining operations have been functioning in Labrador West for decades, the local region, as well as other regions of the province, certainly have the skill set from which to draw qualified candidates for vacancies in that operation." The premier reiterated government�s position that residents of the province, where natural resources are being extracted, should receive maximum benefits, including employment opportunities. "I strongly encourage the corporate citizens of our province who profit from our natural resources and from provincial laws that govern their development to respect the aspirations and needs of the people of our province who ultimately own these resources," added the premier. Premier Williams commended IOCC for being a good corporate citizen of the province in the past. Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960 or 690-5500 2005 01 25 4:25 p.m. |
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