‘Workers cannot wait another day while the EI system continues to fail those who need it’
Workers' union Unifor claims that some employers are not adhering to Service Canada’s demand to appropriately code COVID-19 related work shortages, and thus blocking workers’ access to employment insurance.
"Some employers are sabotaging workers' access to EI benefits and it has to stop," said Jerry Dias, national president of Unifor. "Workers from across Canada are being delayed access to EI benefits because employers are miscoding Records of Employment."
The union said their statement came after it received dozens of complaints from workers, notably those recently laid off from Great Canadian Casinos, saying that ROE forms are being miscoded. It also noted that Service Canada has stated clearly that all ROEs must be coded as ‘shortage of work’, and those who improperly code forms are causing excessive delays for workers trying to access EI.
"Workers are suffering as this criss evolves and this error is only hurting workers and their families, and employers need to fall in line, and stop listening to a handful of law firms giving bad advice," said Dias.
Unifor has recently urged all Members of Parliament to implement radical EI reform and emergency measures to ensure that wage loss is minimized.
"Emergency measures are needed immediately. Workers cannot wait another day while the EI system continues to fail those who need it," said Dias.
