Although not as bad as the USA, Canada has one of the highest proportion of
its work force employed in low paying jobs of  OECD nations as well as
spending  relatively little on job training and other active labour
policies.  This press release highlights some of these issues.  The CPRN -
Canadian Policy Research Networks website is: http://www.cprn.com

dr
-------------------------------------
For Immediate Release:

September 24, 2004. (Kitchener-Waterloo)

Latest research shows that the majority of people working at minimum wage
jobs are not high school dropouts after all-but despite their education the
majority will be unable to find better paying work.

Ron Saunders, Work Network Director of CPRN, is presenting the recent
findings of his Most Vulnerable Workers Project in Kitchener next week.  He
is the keynote speaker at the launch of the Opportunities Waterloo Region
2004-2005 Network Exchange and Speaker Series.   Now in its third season,
the series will explore ways to change the impacts of low income in
Waterloo Region.

Saunder's research brings new and interesting insight to the often
contentious issue around low wages.

For example:  It has previously been argued that teenagers hold most
minimum wage jobs.  However, Saunders is sourcing information on adults
20-years and older who are working at full-time year round jobs paying less
than $10 an hour.  Of these adults, 40 per cent have completed high school
and another 38 per cent have a post-secondary certificate, diploma or
degree.

His research shows that the majority of low wage workers won't ever move up
to decently paid work.  They won't get training or benefits.  Worse, the
earnings of younger, lower educated couples and virtually all recent
immigrant couples have actually declined.

Saunders comes prepared with a wide range of policy options and
considerations that can help.  He will also present successful initiatives
from other countries.    While Saunders says employers can certainly help,
government should be leading the way.

The media is invited to attend his presentation on Tuesday September 28
from 12 - 1 p.m. at the Victoria Park Pavilion.  About 60 community
participants will discuss which options could have the most impact from 1 -
1:30 p.m.

For more information please contact Denise Wamsley at 519-569-7564.

The Network Exchange & Speaker Series is generously supported by SunLife
Financial.

BIO
Ron Saunders
Director, Work Network
[log in to unmask]
tel: 416-932-0318
fax: 416-932-9305
In January 2003, Ron Saunders assumed the position of Work Network
Director. Ron is formerly the Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy,
Communications, and Labour Management Services Division at the Ontario
Ministry of Labour, where he had served in a number of policy positions
since 1986.  He has a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University,
specializing in industrial organization and international trade. He taught
for some years at the University of Toronto before joining the Ontario
Public Service and more recently he taught at the Queen's University School
of Policy Studies [2001-2002].  Ron has worked on a wide range of labour
market issues and has served on committees at the International Labour
Organization and in federal-provincial initiatives


CPRN, the Canadian Policy Research Network, is an independent, non-profit
policy research think tank, hoping to stimulate change in public policies
and workplace practices.

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