TORONTO
,
Sept. 17
/CNW/ - The changes to Employment Insurance proposed by the Harper government won't be enough to repair the tattered social safety net, say the Good Jobs for All Coalition in
Toronto
. The Conservatives plan calls for an extension of between 5 and 20 weeks for certain "long-tenured" workers, but leaves out the majority of the workforce who are unable to qualify due to the qualification restrictions of the EI system.
"This is a highly political piece of work that does not address the plight of thousands who have lost their jobs in greater
Toronto
", says
Tam Goossen
, Co-chair of the Good Jobs for All Coalition. "It does nothing to improve access at a time when the unemployment in Canada's largest urban centre has climbed over 10%."
The Coalition of labour, community and the unemployed has been mobilizing around the demands of 360 hours to qualify, increasing benefits to 60% of the best 12 weeks, allowing all workers to receive at least 50 weeks, and a full year extension of benefits during the recession.
For further information: Judy Vashti Persad, Co-ordinator, Good Jobs for All Coalition at (416) 895-0754
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