NLIS 9
June 28, 2005
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)
 

Government announces support program to assist crab industry workers

Jack Byrne, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs today announced a one-time support program for crab workers to help address employment shortfalls and assist the approximately 8,500 crab workers in the province negatively impacted by the late start of the crab fishery.

"This government committed to ensure that plant workers and other processing employees were provided opportunity to gain additional employment hours to cover shortfalls which may have been experienced as a result of the late start to this year�s crab fishery," stated Minister Byrne. "We are pleased to provide support, needed employment assistance and establish a fair, balanced program while achieving worthwhile projects and meaningful work. This program is designed to be a one-time only project to address the unique circumstances surrounding the 2005 crab fishery."

The province has allotted up to $18 million in support of the program which will focus on employment projects with a community infrastructure or economic development focus. The support program will be managed by the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, and will utilize non-profit community based organizations, municipal councils, service groups and government and development agencies as project sponsors and project managers. The rate of pay established for the program has been set at $8.50 per hour.

Groups of eligible recipients include core and casual plant workers, graders, monitors and off-loaders, and truck drivers. Eligibility will be based on a demonstrated past employment in the crab fishery in 2004. Impacted and eligible workers will be entitled to assistance under this program for a shortfall in their employment this year to a maximum of four weeks, reflecting the approximate delay in the start of the crab fishery. Assistance will not be provided beyond 14 weeks of insurable employment. Individuals who remain EI ineligible after receiving the maximum assistance will be considered under government�s Community Enhancement Program.

A key component to the success of this initiative will be the cooperation and collaborative efforts of union, industry and plant representatives. "These groups will play a valuable role in working with the province on the delivery of the program to ensure that those requiring assistance will be provided with the necessary assistance," added Minister Byrne.

"Our government remains committed to the people and communities in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and this is reflected in this program," added the minister. "When it became clear that plant and related workers would be negatively impacted by the delay in the crab fishery, the Premier immediately committed to assistance for those workers. This initiative is a clear and unequivocal fulfillment of that commitment."

Information on applications, and program guidelines can be found at here or by contacting (709) 729-5400.

Media contact: Heather MacLean, Communications, (709) 729-1983, 690-2498

2005 06 28                        2:15 p.m.


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