Labour
To deliver on the Fair Wages Commission’s next phase of work to make life more affordable for workers, Danielle van Jaarsveld, professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of Business, has been appointed the new chair effective Oct. 1, 2018.
Van Jaarsveld is a leading academic in workplace policies for new and emerging economies. Her current research interests include industrial relations, non-standard work and compensation. Van Jaarsveld brings strong leadership as the commission moves on to examine the question of living wages in B.C. and to investigate more deeply the wage system for farm workers who harvest certain crops by hand.
Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has extended his thanks to the outgoing chair, professor Marjorie Griffen Cohen, for her exemplary service and significant contributions.
The Fair Wages Commission is an independent commission, established in October 2017 and comprised of three members. It aims to bring forward recommendations to reach a $15 minimum wage on wages for workers who earn an alternative minimum wage and to close the gap between the minimum wage and living wages.
Ivan Limpright and Ken Peacock continue as members of the commission as it enters its second year.
A backgrounder follows.
