The controversy surrounding Dutchie’s, a grocery firm in Waterloo Area, has now hit the ears of lawmakers at Queen’s Park.
On Tuesday, throughout a committee listening to for Invoice 190, Working for Employees 5 Act, a Waterloo Area-based employment lawyer introduced ahead the case of Dutchie’s Recent Market, to indicate a number of weaknesses within the legal guidelines.
“Over the last five years we have been seeing waves of workers come to us about one particular employer, a grocery store in the region called Dutchie’s Fresh Market,” stated Joanna Mullen, an employment lawyer with Waterloo Area Group Authorized Companies, talking to a set MPP for the standing committee on finance and financial affairs.
In March of 2024, reported a couple of group of 4 current Ukrainian immigrants who had labored at Dutchie’s however stated they weren’t paid their full wages leading to 1000’s of {dollars} in misplaced earnings.
Quickly after, dozens of different former staff got here ahead with related claims.
Our reporting discovered that Dutchie’s and its enterprise director, Michael Renkema, had over twenty orders to pay issued by the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Finance.
In response to Mullen, to this point they’ve acquired solely nominal funds, no the place close to the complete quantity they’re owed.
“So even though this employer was charged, he still continued to steal wages and even now in 2024 we continue to have workers come to us saying I haven’t been paid,” stated Mullen.
MPP’s of all political events have been shocked by what they heard.
“In this case, it almost sounds criminal,” stated PC MPP Zee Hamid.
“It’s unbelievable,” stated NDP MPP Jamie West including. “It’s frustrating as a member of the assembly to see this happening … this is disgraceful.”
As a part of Invoice 190, the federal government is proposing to extend the utmost high quality for repeat offenders from $50,000 to $100,000.
Mullen stated that may be a good step, however doesn’t go far sufficient.
“The Ministry of Finance, to date, when it comes to this employer, has not been successful in recovering all of the moneys that are owed for workers,” stated Mullen.
In response to Mullen, the province wants the ability to close down companies like Dutchies’ by going after licenses.
“If an employer needs a business license or a liquor license or even a drivers license, the ministry could take those things away until the fines have been paid … and the workers are getting their money,” stated Mullen.
reached out to Dutchies and enterprise director Michael Renkema however didn’t get a response.
