VICTORIA - Policies that encourage expected-to-work income assistance clients to accept short-term seasonal agricultural jobs, while allowing a seamless transition back into income assistance programs, have been implemented by the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance, announced Minister Claude Richmond.

"With B.C.'s unemployment rate at a near record low, there is an abundance of jobs that need to be filled right away. Finding these workers is particularly crucial to our agricultural sector," said Richmond. "These changes to income assistance delivery now make it easier for employable clients to accept these short-term, seasonal agricultural positions."

Expected-to-work clients who accept a seasonal or temporary agricultural job of less than two months in length will have their files kept open. Moreover, they will not be required to perform a three-week job search nor go through the application process - should income assistance be needed again.

In fact, they will be able to participate immediately in any of the BC Employment Programs in which they were previously enrolled and receive benefits and supports without disruption.

The minister added that these changes produce a classic win-win situation. "Now, clients can gain valuable work experience by accepting temporary jobs without worrying about future eligibility, and farmers have access to a larger labour pool when they need it."

To help fill these job vacancies, Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance staff and service providers have been directed to inform employable clients about these recent changes to eligibility and employment program practices.

As of May 2007, there were over 18,500 Expected-to-Work cases throughout British Columbia.