‘Our government will ensure that workers who are impacted by these new measures receive the financial assistance that they need’
Saskatchewan has announced a new phase of the Saskatchewan Temporary Wage Supplement Program (STWSP) targeted to workers in long-term care facilities, personal care homes, integrated healthcare facilities (including both long-term and short-term care) and for home care workers providing care to seniors in their own homes.
“As recently announced by Premier Moe, visitation to all long-term care facilities and personal care homes will be suspended, effective November 19, with the exception of compassionate reasons,” said Donna Harpauer, deputy premier and finance minister. “We recognize the increased workload these new measures place on workers tirelessly caring for our seniors. By creating a new phase of the Temporary Wage Supplement Program, our government will ensure that workers who are impacted by these new measures receive the financial assistance that they need.”
In the new phase of the program, the wage supplement will be provided to full-time, part-time and casual workers, and includes anyone employed by an eligible facility or providing home care services, but does not include third-party contract service providers working at those facilities.
The program will provide $400 a month for two months for eligible workers regardless of income level. The application form, eligibility and program information will be online at www.saskatchewan.ca/wage-supplement-program in the coming days, said the government.
In July, the government further expanded the subsidy program to include all workers, regardless of income level, at integrated healthcare facilities which provide both short-term and long-term health care.
Healthcare workers on the frontlines have been tirelessly working to contain the spread of the virus and treat those infected, nevertheless there have been alarming reports of violence towards frontline workers increasing amid the pandemic.
