Municipal Affairs
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
July 17, 2009
Support Services Available for Plant Workers Affected by Closure of
Englee Fish Plant
The Provincial Government has committed
to address the workforce adjustment needs of workers who have been
displaced as a result of the closure of the Englee fish plant. The
Englee fish plant has been closed for several years as a result of
structural deficiencies and will not re-open. Displaced workers are now
eligible for measures the Provincial Government has in place to help
individuals adjust to the permanent closure of the fish plant.
�It is critical that workers in rural
areas who may require transitional supports including employment
assistance, have opportunities made available to them to gain
employment, and have access to programs and services which will allow
them to better prepare themselves for future employment opportunities,�
said the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs.
�Municipal Affairs will work closely with the town, and government
partners to create work experiences which provide a lasting benefit to
the community and support economic development for the region.�
�It is unfortunate that the plant in
Englee had to close,� said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of
Fisheries and Aquaculture. �However, our government has put a workforce
adjustment program in place for displaced plant workers. While we
realize that it does not replace their jobs, the people of the community
are encouraged to work with the Provincial Government and avail of all
the services.�
The Integrated Transition Strategy for Displaced Plant Workers was
established in 2006 to respond to communities and individuals who
require assistance when fish plants have been designated as permanently
closed. Workforce measures to assist individuals who may require
assistance will include:
- Short-term job creation through the
Fish Plant Worker Employment Program which will provide a short-term
solution to help workers deal with their immediate financial needs.
Eligible individuals will be entitled to a wage rate of $9.00 hour;
- Wage subsidy to support transition
to other jobs;
- Transition support services through
the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment to help
displaced workers develop an individualized transition plan to
include access to labour market information, retraining options,
counseling on relevant provincial and federal programs concerning
employment opportunities, resume writing, job search, training, wage
subsidies and self-employment supports;
- Retraining through public, private
and non-profit training institutions; and,
- Regional economic diversification
through programs made available through the Department of
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.
�Officials will immediately begin work
with the union to ensure that displaced workers and their spouses have
access to important information concerning all available services and
programs,� said Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human, Resources,
Labour and Employment. �We will work with regional, social and economic
partners to minimize the impacts on the region by ensuring individuals
have access to labour market supports designed specifically for the
unique needs of the people of the area. Individuals seeking employment
assistance or advice should contact the department to discuss the
various supports available to them.�
�The Provincial Government has a comprehensive suite of programming and
extensive resources in place to support local businesses and economic
development organizations to strengthen and diversify the economy of
Englee and surrounding area,� said the Honourable Shawn Skinner,
Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. �We look forward to
working with community officials and other stakeholders to advance
initiatives that contribute to the sustained long term economic growth
of the region.�
Officials with the Department of
Municipal Affairs will convene a meeting with stakeholders in the next
couple of weeks to discuss short-term job creation programs.
Applications and program administration guidelines for the Fish Plant
Worker Employment Program (same as Community Enhancement Employment
Program) can be found at
www.gov.nl.ca/ma/cep or may be obtained by calling the Department of
Municipal Affairs toll-free at 1-866-508-5500.
The Department of Human Resources, Labour
and Employment will work with Service Canada and the Employment
Assistance Service (EAS) office to establish a transition outreach
office by mid-August to provide local access to support services.
Affected workers may contact 709-861-3041 or toll free, 1-800-563-6600
for additional information.
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Media contacts:
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
09-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca
|
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
|
2009 07 17
9:35 a.m. |