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Classified in: Health, Business, Covid-19 virus
Subjects: LBR, PSF, AVO, CFG

Unifor urges Ottawa to proactively protect workers from COVID-19 virus


TORONTO, March 5, 2020 /CNW/ - Unifor is calling on Ottawa to take immediate steps to protect workers as COVID-19 spreads around the globe.

"Emergency supports are needed now for all workers in workplaces affected by COVID-19, to protect their health and provide job stability and income assistance in the event of shift reductions or layoffs," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

Dias has written Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour and Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion to make several recommendations to urge the federal committee dealing with this crisis to work proactively with the provinces to mitigate impacts on workers from the potential pandemic and resulting economic slowdown.

With more than 30 confirmed cases here in Canada, the public health risks and demonstrable effect on the economy are creating uncertainty and hardship for workers, especially in the health care, hospitality, education, transportation and retail sectors.

"We represent thousands of workers in these sectors and we were relieved to see Minister Patty Hajdu confirm yesterday that workers will have a voice in federal response to this public health and economic crisis," said Dias.

"Racial stigmatization has also created additional challenges for workers in the Chinese and other ethnically diverse communities across Canada." 

Many unionized workers have job and income security provisions in their collective agreements in the event of shift reductions, or the need to take sick leave, but not all workers have those protections. Dias is asking the federal government to prepare for sector-wide work disruptions by implementing protective health and awareness strategies for workers most vulnerable, and to take measures to mitigate financial hardship.

Unifor is asking Ottawa to take the following measures to ease the burden on workers:

Unifor's Health and Safety Department has provided this fact sheet to all members and locals and is monitoring the situation closely.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor


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