None of the volunteer positions being advertised for the Cavendish Beach Music Festival are associated with private businesses, the president of Murphy Group of Restaurants said Wednesday.
Kevin Murphy stressed that point after newspaper ads asking for volunteers to work at the mid-July country music event came under criticism in recent days.
Murphy said the ad was misinterpreted.
He said the Murphy Group of Restaurants is only one of 13 vendors servicing the festival and all of the people working the concert will be paid employees.
"Everyone serving food are paid employees, our staff," he said. "That's always been the case. We always pay our staff. That's been the case for 28 years."
Murphy said the volunteer work being done is associated with Oak Acres Children's Foundation, the charity selected to be the recipient of the profits brought in through sales at the beverage tent.
The Oak Acres camp near Murray River is a registered charity which operates six camping sessions per summer for children who are selected to attend by the province's guidance counsellors.
Approximately 480 children are able to enjoy the camp each year at no cost.
Murphy added that all the volunteers recruited will be working in the beverage tent on behalf of the charity.
"That's the only volunteer element with the festival," Murphy said. "That message didn't get out for some reason."
Murphy added he intended to amend the misinformation and was in the process of contacting government to clear up any confusion.
People who volunteer will be able to see or hear many of the country acts, meet some of the stars, receive a festival souvenir T-shirt, and get discount vouchers to dine at a number of Murphy-owned restaurants.
When the ad appeared in The Guardian, it made no mention of the charity nor explained the reasons behind the request for volunteers. The ad resulted in a number of critical comments, including the P.E.I. Federation of Labour which questioned using free labour for a private business.
It also resulted in a critical blast Tuesday from Opposition labour critic Mike Currie who condemned the ad, stating that in tough economic times, no private business should be soliciting free labour.
"(Tourism) Minister Valerie Docherty, her department and this government are the major financial supporters of this event, to the tune of over $1.2 million and it is insulting to P.E.I. taxpayers to see a private company involved in this concert soliciting free labour, particularly at a time when the economy is declining and jobs are scarce," said Currie.
