Human Resources, Labour and Employment
March 10, 2011
Provincial Review of Income and Employment Support Act Gets Underway
The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, announced today that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will undertake consultations as part of a legislative review of the current Income and Employment Support Act.
“There have been many changes and a positive improvement in services for clients since the Income and Employment Support Act was originally proclaimed in 2004,” said Minister King. “Our government has worked diligently and taken progressive steps to help ensure the current suite of programs and services under income and employment support benefits address the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. As part of this regular review, we will look at how the Provincial Government can strengthen its approach even further.”
Invitations have been extended to a number of community-based agencies as well as income and employment support clients to attend consultation sessions and provide their feedback and input. Members of the public or other community-based organizations wishing to provide input may do so through the following methods:
| Telephone (toll-free): | 1-866-883-6600 |
| TTY: | 1-888-729-5440 |
| Fax: | 709-729-5560 |
| E-mail: | iesareview@gov.nl.ca |
| Written submissions: |
Alicia Sutton IESA Legislative Review Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment 3rd Floor West Block, Confederation Building P.O. Box 8700 St, John’s, NL A1B 4J6 |
A consultation guide can be obtained by contacting one of the sources listed above or by visiting www.gov.nl.ca/hrle/iesa-review.html. Alternate formats of the booklet are available upon request. Submissions and input will be accepted until May 16, 2011.
Since the legislation was introduced in 2004, the Provincial Government has implemented a number of new employment and career services to support individuals in attaining and maintaining employment. These initiatives include:
- establishing a network of 14 Career Work Centres throughout the province;
- implementing employment development supports such as a placement-support allowance, transportation allowance, short-term training, work supports and financial supports for assessments, counseling and testing services;
- implementing self-employment services delivered through partnerships with community-based agencies to assist individuals plan and start a business and receive benefits; and,
- implementing employment supports for persons with disabilities to attend post-secondary institutions and transition from school to work.
“While great progress has been made and many new initiatives have been developed, consulting with stakeholders as part of the legislative review will allow us to assess those gains and examine where improvements are needed,” said Minister King. “The consultations demonstrate the Provincial Government’s commitment to work with income support clients, low-income earners and others to secure long-term jobs and employment opportunities in effective and innovative ways.”
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Media contact:
| Bradley Power Director of Communications Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment 709-729-0753, 699-5707 bradleypower@gov.nl.ca |
2011 03 10
11:30 a.m.