Ministry of Labour

The Ministry of Labour promotes fair, healthy and safe labour and employment relationships in support of a strong, sustainable and inclusive economy.

Featured topics

• Employment Standards for App-Based Ride-Hail and Delivery Services Workers
  B.C. is the first place in Canada to provide app-based ride-hail and delivery services gig workers with minimum employment standards and other protections.
• Labour Relations Code Review
  A review panel has consulted with different groups and First Nations to review B.C.’s Labour Relations Code. On Aug. 31, 2024 the report with recommended changes was sent to Government.  This ensures labour laws are keeping up with the needs of modern workplaces, providing stable labour relations. The report is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Labour.
• Minimum Wage
  To help prevent our lowest paid workers from falling further behind, on June 1, 2024, B.C.’s minimum wage increased to $17.40/hour from $16.75/hour.
• Workers Compensation and Occupational Health and Safety
  WorkSafeBC engages workers and employers to prevent injury, disease and disability in B.C. workplaces. When work-related injuries or diseases occur, WorkSafeBC provides compensation and support to people in their recovery, rehabilitation and safe return to work. WorkSafeBC’s Occupational Health and Safety regulations address risks to workers’ health, safety and well-being. 
• Protecting Youth from Hazardous Work
  In B.C., there are different requirements for hiring young people depending on their age. The general minimum working age is 16, while 14- and 15-year-olds are allowed to do certain jobs considered light work.
• Paid Sick Leave 
  A minimum of five paid sick days each year is required for the majority of workers in B.C. – the most in any province.
• Temporary Foreign Workers Protection Act (TFWPA)
  In B.C., temporary foreign workers are protected by law from unfair practices. The TFWPA provides important protections for these vulnerable workers by setting standards for their recruitment and employment.
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
  In 2023, the Province established the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act to honour the strength and resilience of residential school survivors and remember the children who never came home.
• Domestic and Sexual Violence Leave
  B.C.’s employment standards laws provide up to five days of paid leave, five days of unpaid leave and 15 additional unpaid weeks of job-protected leave for people who have faced domestic or sexual violence.

Featured services

• Employment Standards Branch
  Administers the Employment Standards Act and Regulation, which set minimum standards for wages and working conditions in most B.C. workplaces. Contact the Employment Standards Branch 
• BC Labour Relations Board (LRB)
  Serves as an independent, administrative tribunal with the mandate to mediate and adjudicate employment and labour relations matters related to unionized workplaces. Contact the LRB 
• WorkSafeBC
  Works to prevent workplace injury, illness and death, and supports injured workers through fair compensation and effective rehabilitation. Contact WorkSafeBC
• Workers’ Advisers Office and Employers’ Advisers Office
  The Workers’ Advisers Office (WAO) provides workers’ compensation advice, assistance, representation and resources to workers (and their dependents and others). Contact the WAO
  The Employers' Advisers Office (EAO) provides educational services to employers in all areas of the B.C. workers' compensation system to increase employer understanding and compliance, and to promote safe, healthy and respectful workplaces. Contact the EAO
  The WAO and EAO operate independently of WorkSafeBC.
• Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal (WCAT)
  Decides appeals of WorkSafeBC decisions. Contact the WCAT

 Minister

Parliamentary Secretary

Deputy Minister