Previous Headline
May 2009
Better income protection for workers
It’s not easy to survive on minimum wage. It’s also not easy to get your last cheque of employment insurance benefits, especially when you know that the only thing left after that is welfare. Certain laws have recently been changed which ought to make things a little bit better for workers.
Minimum wage
Since May 1st, 2009, the minimum wage has gone up to $9 per hour for most employees. This is a $0.50 increase. For workers who receive tips, the minimum wage has gone up to $8 per hour, a $0.25 increase. There are other minimum wage rates such as the one for workers that hand-pick fruit.
To learn more, consult our Infosheet
Minimum wage.
Employment insurance
The employment insurance program has recently been updated. The period of time during which you can receive benefits has been temporarily prolonged by 5 weeks. This measure will end in September, 2010, unless the Government chooses to extend it.
A program will also be put in place starting May 31, 2009 to allow an unemployed worker to receive benefits while pursuing training. These benefits will continue to be received for a short while after the training is done, while the worker searches for a job. Remember that special conditions apply as to the choice of training program pursued and as to the total amount of benefits (a maximum of 50 weeks over 2 years).
Of course, you must first be
eligible to receive employment insurance benefits before potentially being able to take advantage of the training program. Also, this program isn’t for everyone receiving employment insurance. For the moment it is only for those that:
- Have paid their employment insurance premiums for 7 out of the last 10 years;
- Have received less than 36 months of benefits all in all, in the 5 years before their present unemployment situation;
- Were referred by their employment center to a full-time training program of at least 20 weeks.
