Latest news with #seasonalworkers
CBC
15 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free owner laments near 40% drop in revenue, blames 'tariff war'
Social Sharing The owner of Sault Ste. Marie Duty Free is lamenting the "tariff war," which he said has had a devastating impact on business as Canadians cut back on travel to the U.S. Ralph Caria says he's seen a near 40 per cent drop in sales since President Donald Trump took office and later implemented sweeping tariffs. "The [duty-free] shops across Canada, they're down 40 to 80 per cent," Caria told CBC Sudbury. "There are some shops in remote areas like in B.C., they're down 80 per cent. Obviously the Ontario duty free, I'm in Ontario, we're closer to the 40 per cent." Caria said he would usually employ between 20 and 25 people during the summer. Those seasonal workers were excited about the summer, he said, adding they have been dealt a blow as they would be without a job this year. "It has an impact on staff… They worked so hard getting on the road to recovering after the border closure due to the pandemic and they were in a positive mindset," Caria said. "When they worked so hard and they thought we were on the way to recovering out of COVID and they were excited for this summer … it's disheartening for them … it's another punch in the gut." 'We cannot sell to the domestic market' Caria said duty-free stores are in a unique position where they can't pivot. "We cannot sell to the domestic market…I can't open my side door and sell to someone on a local street. I can't sell to you unless you're travelling to the U.S.," he said. "We have to sell to people that are entering the U.S. and that would be Canadians travelling and that would be Americans returning home. As you could well envision, that's devastating when the border is closed like in the pandemic or now because of the tariffs." FDFA appeals to Ottawa for help Last week the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), which represents 32 stores across the country, pleaded with the federal government to offer financial assistance to struggling independently owned duty free stores amidst the ongoing political and economic trade war tension. An open letter penned on behalf of the association was sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne on Tuesday. The letter outlines what's referred to as a disproportionate impact the stores, and their work forces, are facing from tariffs and continued cross-border travel disruptions. Barbara Barrett, the executive director for FDFA, says "immediate action" is needed from Ottawa. "When travel slows or stops, our stores — all independently owned, family run and often the main employer in their towns — are the first to feel it and often the hardest hit," she told reporters during a Tuesday morning news conference on Parliament Hill. "Our communities can't afford to lose these businesses. That's why today's letter is so urgent and why we're calling on the government to step in before the damage becomes permanent." Association president Tania Lee says the FDFA is looking for things such as liquidity support for its hardest hit stores, and clarity on export rules. "Our ask is modest, but the need is urgent," Lee said.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Auto-enrolment needs to be more user-friendly for bosses and workers, recruitment firm says
Short-term and seasonal workers should not be dragged into the State's new mandatory workplace pension scheme, a leading recruitment group has said. Excel Recruitment says the Government should use the delay of several months to introduce the My Future Fund auto-enrolment (AE) scheme to make it more user friendly. As planned, anyone aged 23-60 and earning in excess of €20,000 a year will be automatically enrolled in the scheme on day one of their employment. Eligibility will be assessed based on gross earnings over the previous 13 weeks across all employments. 'The current AE design risks dragging short-term or seasonal workers such as those hired for the Christmas period into a scheme that won't meaningfully benefit them, while saddling employers with unnecessary red tape,' Shane McLave, managing director of Excel Recruitment said. READ MORE He is calling on the Government to adopt the UK model where employers may postpone enrolment for up to three months. Employees have the right to opt in with contributions from the employer starting as soon as they do so. 'That way, the right people are enrolled, and employers aren't forced to carry an administrative burden for no reason,' Mr McLave said. He also wants seasonal employees to have the right to opt out in the first month rather than having to wait six months as per the current proposal. 'The success of this scheme will hinge on how it's implemented,' the recruitment firm boss said. 'A rigid, one-size-fits-all system will only lead to confusion, wasted resources and a loss of trust in the scheme.' More broadly, Excel says the latest delay in introducing auto-enrolment signals a worrying lack of readiness. Mr McLave also criticised the State's lack of infrastructure to support employers or workers in understanding AE. 'We're seeing yet another major employment reform being rolled out without the tools and services to support it. There is no regulated advisory body in place to answer workers' questions, and employers are effectively being asked to step into that role without training, legal cover, or authority. That is unacceptable.'
The Independent
7 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Farmers could foot foreign workers' upfront costs to travel to UK
A government-commissioned report suggests British farms and supermarkets could address the exploitation of seasonal fruit and vegetable pickers by covering their travel and visa costs, estimated to be between £850-£1,500 per worker. The study, undertaken for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), proposes four models where recruiters, farms, retailers, or consumers bear the costs, potentially adding 1-3 pence per week to consumer fruit and vegetable prices. The research estimates that implementing the 'Employer Pays Principle' would cost £43.1 million in total and eliminate debt for 18,200 workers, with 70 per cent of seasonal workers currently accruing debt to come to the UK. While retailers and worker representatives largely support the proposal, many farmers are concerned it could threaten worker commitment, as the current system incentivises hard work to clear debts. Independent anti-slavery commissioner Eleanor Lyons urged the government to act, highlighting the increased vulnerability of seasonal workers who face excessive hours, debt bondage, and challenging conditions.
CBC
19-05-2025
- General
- CBC
How a popular Caribbean crop has grown on an Ottawa farm
Seasonal workers from Jamaica have brought their love of callaloo to the Foster Family Farm in Ottawa.
