Joyce Arthur: When a government protects workers by criminalizing them

Imagine for a moment, if the debate over prostitution laws was aimed at other types of workers…

In a bold move aimed at protecting workers from exploitation while on the job, the government today passed a new law that criminalizes most employers and customers. The law addresses the void left by the Supreme Court of Canada in December 2013, when it struck down laws that it said prevented workers from taking safety measures to protect themselves from abusive customers, but which the government said were designed to prevent people from working, period.

“Our government is concerned about the significant harms that flow from being compelled to work for a living,” said Law and Order Minister Punter MacCunny at a press conference to announce the new law, which was passed without any Parliamentary debate. “Working is harmful to vulnerable individuals, particularly women, who should be home having babies.”

More of Ms. Arthur’s brilliant column here