As of today, September 10th, Service Canada has posted the unemployment rate for Economic Region 2 (all NL outside of St. John’s metro) as 12% (a further drop from 12.9% on August 6th).
This adjustment changes minimum qualifying criteria to 490 hours for regular claimants and $18,912 for fish harvesters. The minimum number of weeks payable for regular benefits is now 23, and the maximum number of weeks payable is 45. With the new divisor of 16, 980 to 1,014 hours are now required for claimants to receive the 30 weeks of benefits necessary until the next work season begins.
The EI system continues to fail workers, and EI reform remains stagnant. Seasonal fishery workers have faced significant hardship this year due to global circumstances beyond their control – BUT is within government’s control to intervene for financial stability. Implementing a temporary emergency change to maintain the divisor of 14 for seasonal labour claims is now critical to ensure baseline protections for workers and prevent a broad workforce crisis.
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📨☎️FFAW is working to engage both provincial and federal government to implement necessary changes, and it is important for members to express this urgency directly to both your MP and MHA:
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