Student union defends EI program in face of labour shortage complaints
The Better Charlottetown Space Chamber of Commerce must be wanting elsewhere to unravel any labour scarcity issues, somewhat than weakening entry to employment insurance coverage, says the UPEI Scholar Union.
Final month chamber president Invoice DeBlois, testifying earlier than a Senate committee on employment insurance coverage, took the chance to debate the Profession Join program, which permits certified college students to gather EI whereas attending courses.
“Due to this alteration it is more durable to seek out college students to fill part-time jobs,” stated DeBlois.
“We’re dealing with a workforce scarcity that’s almost unprecedented. We have been experiencing job vacancies and challenges sourcing labour previous to the pandemic, and the issue has solely grown since.”
The chamber desires to see EI reviewed to make sure that it stays a security web, he stated.
On the lookout for hours
UPEI Scholar Union president Adam MacKenzie stated EI is a crucial supply of money for college students.
He additionally famous that the personal sector, with a bigger emphasis on shift work for college students, is at a drawback as an employer.
“In the course of the summer time college students are going to choose to work at locations like Parks Canada or the federal government as a result of they’re assured a certain quantity of hours, they usually can calculate if they’re going to be eligible for EI,” stated MacKenzie.
The approaching finish of modifications made in the course of the pandemic might make issues worse, he stated.
In September individuals in Charlottetown will start feeling the complete influence of the 2014 division of P.E.I. into two EI zones once more. Which means individuals, together with college students, would require extra hours of labor as a way to qualify for EI.
