For Immediate Release – Oct. 8, 2010
Yesterday, the Good Jobs for All Coalition sent an open letter to Prime Minister Harper demanding the Federal government reform Employment Insurance so laid off workers are not left out in the cold.
The release of today’s “StatsCan Labour Force Survey September 2010” report reveals Toronto’s unemployment rate (unadjusted for seasonality) hovers at 10.1%.
The October 4th release of the “2010 Toronto Vital Signs report” by the Toronto Community Foundation reveals the devastating impact of job loss on Toronto residents. The report found that almost half of the new food bank users in the GTA came because of job losses and reduced work hours.
“The Vital Signs report gives us a sobering picture of the growing number of Torontonians who have fallen between the cracks,” says Good Jobs for All Coalition co-chair, Winnie Ng. “The Federal government must respond to this urgent need and reform EI so unemployed workers get the support they deserve.”
The Good Jobs for All Coalition is calling for the Federal government to continue on with the following measures:
1. A 5 week EI extension for all workers;
2. EI-benefit extensions of up to 20 weeks for long tenure workers; and
3. Universal application of all pilot projects (14 best weeks benefit calculation, 40% allowable when working on claim, new entrant/re-entrants at 840 hours).
In addition, the Good Jobs for All Coalition is calling for a comprehensive EI reform package that includes: reducing the number of hours someone needs to work to qualify for EI to 360 hours; increasing benefits from 55% to 60% of regular earnings; and extending benefits by an additional 50 weeks whenever national unemployment exceeds 6%.
“The fact remains that less than 40% of laid off workers in Toronto receive EI benefits due to the stringent eligibility criteria and reduced benefit duration,” says Tam Goossen, co-chair of the Good Jobs for All Coalition. “That’s simply unacceptable.”
Contact: Jessica Bell, jbell@labourcouncil.ca, 416 937 0076