Newly-introduced regulations to protect late-night workers have been welcomed by the NDP MLA who had been pushing for the changes.
Saskatoon Centre MLA David Forbes championed the private-member's bill, Jimmy's Law, in the wake of the killing of gas station attendant Jimmy Wiebe in Yorkton during late night hours.
He toured the province to examine late-night working conditions, visiting two 24-hour gas station/convenience stores in North Battleford in April.
The new labour regulations were announced Nov. 3 by Labour Minister Don Morgan, and enacted Nov. 7. There is now a 60-day period where employers can get ready to implement the changes that will be enacted in January
While the changes don't go quite as far as what Forbes had been calling for, he nevertheless welcomed them.
"We're encouraged by this. We feel this is a step forward for late night retail workers," said Forbes, who plans to keep following up on the issue.
The new regulations include safe cash handling procedures, the use of video cameras and provisions for good visibility and signage at all late-night retail premises. A check-in system and personal emergency transmitters are to be provided to all workers working alone in late-night retail establishments under the new rules. The regulations cover the time period from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Not all the Jimmy's Law provisions were adopted, however. Forbes had also been calling for a requirement to have two employees working the overnight shift in stores. He also sought protective barriers, as well as an employee's ability to lock the doors.
"That's not the way they wanted to go, they wanted to go with check-ins and a personal emergency transmitter," said Forbes.
Forbes said he plans to follow up on the regulations. One issue he plans to keep pressing the government on is pre-paid gas late at night. Forbes pointed to a Toronto incident where a man was killed trying to stop a car from leaving the premises that had not paid for their gas. He also would like to see more inspections.
Even though Forbes wasn't satisfied with all aspects of the changes, he said it was important to move forward with measures to protect late night workers.
"The NDP caucus believes it was important to get moving on this," said Forbes.
