November 20, 1997
(Human Resources and Employment)

The following statement was issued today by Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to announce today, a change in policy for persons who were receiving social assistance supplement to earnings immediately prior to a labour dispute.

For more than 20 years social assistance was not provided to individuals, who voluntarily and collectively withdrew their services from the workforce by refusing to work, although jobs were available for them. This policy included individuals who had been locked out by their employers during negotiations, and clients who received a social assistance supplement to earnings.

After reviewing this policy, I am announcing today a change with respect to clients who receive earnings supplements. These individuals will now continue to receive the same level of social assistance as they received prior to the labour dispute. This is consistent with government's current policy of encouraging individual's to seek employment and reduce their dependency on social assistance.

In announcing this change in policy, I want to reinforce that government will not be making up for lost income due to strike action for those individuals not in receipt of social assistance prior to strike action. This change in policy only affects those in receipt of social assistance supplement to earnings prior to strike action.