The Employment Standards Branch will dedicate a full time officer this spring to inspecting silviculture operations and investigating complaints, continuing its special program from last year.
At the same time BC Timber Sales has agreed to monitor Employment Standards Act Silviculture Regulation compliance on its forestry projects in 2006.
BCTS contractors will be required to notify the ESA Branch in Prince George when they commence a project similar to the Workers Compensation Act Regulation requiring contractors to notify a WorkSafeBC regional office at the start of each forestry operation. BCTS staff and representatives will interview employers and employees regarding regular pay periods, time free from work, payment of minimum wage and other typical violations of the regs.
Contractors will be asked to remedy any shortcomings with BCTS having the option to bring in the Employment Standards Branch.