|
|
|
|
Legal Line® provides Free legal information to Canadians through its website, telephone and fax-on-demand systems.
1,000 topics are covered within 35 areas of law...
Search...
Ontario|Employment LawSpecial Rules for Some Employees 595 Agricultural workers and harvesters Most agricultural workers do not have the same rights to minimum hours of work and wages as other workers in Ontario. You are considered an agricultural worker if you work on a farm to produce milk, eggs, grain, seeds, fruit, vegetables, maple products, honey, tobacco, pigs, cattle, sheep, or poultry. However, you are not considered an agricultural worker if your only role on a farm is as a harvester of fruits, vegetables, or tobacco. If you are a harvester of fruits, vegetables, or tobacco, there are different rules that apply to you.
- Rules for agricultural workers
If you are considered an agricultural worker, normally your employer can pay you below minimum wage and does not have to pay you overtime. You do not necessarily get paid for time-off on public holidays, and there are no rules about the maximum number of hours you are allowed to work. However, your employer must allow you to take pregnancy and parental leave.
- Minimum wage for harvesters
If you harvest fruit, vegetables or tobacco, you are entitled to a minimum wage. Your employer has to pay you at least $6.85 per hour. If your employer pays you based on the amount you harvest, they are required to pay you an amount per item so that through reasonable effort you should be able to harvest enough in one hour to earn $6.85.
- Student harvesters
If you harvest fruits, vegetables, or tobacco while you are a student under 18 years of age, your employer normally is required to pay you at least $6.40 per hour, unless you work more than 28 hours during the school year.
If you are unsure whether you are considered an agricultural worker or a harvester, or for additional information, you can contact the Employment Standards office listed in the Blue pages of your telephone book.
|