Farm Labour and Workplace Safety

Original Air Date: Monday, September 10, 2012

At harvest time, everyone pitches in; but in Alberta, farm labourers - including children - are not covered by Provincial Workplace Safety Legislation.

Many producers prefer their farms remain unregulated, citing realities of the workplace. Others call it extremely dangerous and a lapse in worker rights.  Premier Redford has promised in the past year to revisit the laws, but as yet nothing has changed.

Who should have the final say on farm safety laws? What would a more stringent labour code do to the fate of the family farm?

Joining us for this discussion is Dr. Bob Barnetson, Associate Professor in Labour Relations with Athabasca University; and Humphrey Banack, Vice President of Wild Rose Agricultural Producers, on the phone from his farm in the Camrose area.  Officials from the Alberta Government were invited to join this discussion; however, we were told no one was available.