Mussel producer blames EI for labour shortage

A P.E.I. mussel producer says he's facing a labour shortage and he's blaming the employment insurance system for adding to his problem.

Stewart Mussel Farms began setting out mussel socks this week in bays along the north shore.

It appears nobody wants a job.- Stephen Stewart

Owner Stephen Stewart says he needs 18 extra employees this fall.

But he says recruiting efforts turned up only six, and only two people came to do the work. 

"It appears nobody wants a job," said Stewart.

"Well, honestly, I think it's because, and this is not against anybody, but it seems the EI system, that people don't have to [work]. My plant has had ads in the papers for ages and we don't even get a call."

Stewart's company has written a letter to federal Employment Minister Jason Kenney outlining the problem.

Stewart also owns Confederation Cove Mussels, a processing plant in Borden, where about five temporary foreign workers are employed.

Stewart is concerned he may not be able to keep the foreign workers he has and would like to be able to hire more.

At certain times, Stewart employs as many as 80 workers.