By Godlove Kamwa, Local Journalism Initiative
–
On the announcement of the federal plan to overhaul the employment insurance system, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) warns that 9 out of 10 SME managers do not want this benefit to be compulsory for employees. self-employed workers.
The CFIB has expressed concerns supported by the context of the pandemic and recent poll numbers. To reform employment insurance, she says, we must first consult the employers and employees who fully fund the plan and carry out an upstream cost-benefit analysis.
The extension of permanent coverage to the self-employed is the main sticking point, because “the fear of seeing certain particularly generous employment insurance benefits become permanent worries many entrepreneurs”, according to a press release.
According to the federation, 89% of SME owners are opposed to the idea that employment insurance coverage becomes compulsory for self-employed workers while 73% support that it be done on a voluntary basis in the event of an expansion of the cover.
Following the survey conducted between January 28 and February 17 among 4,901 heads of SMEs, 82% would like the minimum number of hours required to be entitled to employment insurance benefits to be at least 420 hours instead of 120, as is currently the case.
Hiring versus federal programs
The survey also found that 73% of respondents were opposed to paying a minimum amount of $ 500 per week to claimants, regardless of their previous earnings as is currently the case.
These measures on the minimum number of hours or the weekly payment of $ 500 have had a “deterrent effect”, according to the CFIB, making the hiring and retention of employees during the pandemic “more difficult” for 43% of heads of operations. SMEs interviewed.
“We understand that there are currently programs to support (workers). On the other hand, employment insurance is not a program funded by the government and therefore it should not make permanent temporary changes put in place during the pandemic nor make employment insurance compulsory for self-employed workers ”, he added. concluded CFIB Vice President of National Affairs Jasmin Guénette.
“The CFIB is ready to work with the government to ensure that the EI system is right for everyone,” he added.
At the end of last year, the spokesperson for the National Council of Unemployed Persons suggested moving from a temporary reform to a permanent reform to silence “alarmisms” and access “an employment insurance program. worthy of the XXIe century”.
Icimedias
–
