The province is hoping to make life a little easier for those working in construction, particularly women.
Labour Minister and local MPP Monte McNaughton was in London this morning to announce proposed rule changes to provide women’s only washrooms on construction sites, as well as making bathrooms cleaner and safer overall.
“Access to a washroom is a basic human dignity and something every worker should have the right to,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Careers in construction offer six-figure salaries with pensions and benefits, and it is an injustice only 10 per cent of them are filled by women.”
Among the proposed changes, worksites would be required to provide at least one women’s only toilet, ensure adequate lighting, and mandatory hand sanitizer where running water is not available. McNaughton is also calling for requirements that personal protective equipment be properly fitted so women and workers with diverse body types are taken into account.
“Workplaces that are safer and more equitable help increase women’s participation in the workforce,” said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. “Our government is taking action to remove barriers and empower women to excel in sectors where they are underrepresented – because when women succeed, Ontario succeeds.”
It’s one of a number of issues expected to be part of legislation introduced at Queen’s Park this spring. If approved, the changes would go into effect July 1st.
