The labour movement is calling on the provincial and federal government to do more for workers in New Brunswick during the state of emergency.
Daniel Legere, president of the New Brunswick Federation of Labour, said unions want paid and protected sick leave for all the workers affected by COVID-19, whether that’s layoffs or not.
He said offering employment insurance is a good start, but that’s only 55 per cent of a workers’ salary and it’s not enough, so the federation is asking for 75 per cent.
“A lot of workers in New Brunswick, especially low wage workers spend upwards of 50 per cent of their salary on rent or mortgage payment so that doesn’t leave anything for anything else,” said Legere.
He also worries about those workers who have health concerns and no money to pay for their prescriptions.
“If you’re home without a pay, you’re in a very precarious position and you don’t necessarily have that money to pay for prescribed medications,” said Legere.
He raised the point that while employment insurance does cover some things, it leaves out others the government needs to address.
“What about health benefits? What about workers that are losing their jobs and they’re losing their health coverage,” said Legere.
“They go to fill their prescriptions for themselves or their family, and they don’t have a health plan anymore. What’s going to happen there?”
Legere said self employed workers becoming eligible for some funds is a good start, but more needs to be done.
“I’m hopeful that this is a first step, not the last step.”
