18,000 group layoffs reported to Alberta government so far this year

CALGARY- The number of group layoffs reported to the government has surged to 18,000 so far this year, due to the slump in oil prices.

This month across the province, the government has received eight layoff notices, which will affect 2,206 employees. In total this year, the number of group layoff notices is 114. It impacts 18,006 workers in Alberta.

READ MORE: Timeline: Tracking the layoffs in Alberta’s oilpatch

In 2013 and 2014 combined, the government received 62 notices affecting 11,694 employees.

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78 per cent of employees impacted this year are related to layoffs by the oil and gas sector.

WATCH: The latest companies to issue layoff notices include TransCanada, Enmax and the Calgary Stampede. 

Employers are required to give the government four weeks written notice of their intention to terminate 50 or more positions at a single location within a four-week period.

READ MORE: Alberta job cuts: What are your rights after being laid off?