The mobilization continues to demand an overhaul of employment insurance, as another demonstration took place on October 11 in front of the Marinard plant and in the streets of Rivière-au-Renard.
RIVIÈRE-AU-RENARD – The mobilization continues to demand an overhaul of employment insurance, as another demonstration took place on October 11 in front of the Marinard plant and in the streets of Rivière-au-Renard.
This marks the third event since the forced layoffs of plant workers on September 1 due to the lack of marine products, essentially shrimp, to process.
About forty individuals gathered to urge a comprehensive revision of the system to avoid a seasonal black hole at the end of the benefit period.
“We sent a letter asking for a meeting with Randy Boissonnault (Minister responsible for Employment Insurance). We thought he would have responded to us. He seemed to want to meet with us, however, it hasn’t happened,” explains the coordinator of the Mouvement action chômage Pabok, Nadia Mongeon.
“We can see that if he had wanted to make a reform now, he would have told us, ‘Let’s meet, and I’ll tell you what’s going on.’ We get the impression that he’s always stalling,” adds Ms. Mongeon.
No indication has been given that a reform will be tabled, despite the promise to move forward in 2023.
“It’s at a standstill. Nothing is happening,” deplores the coordinator.
“We’re hoping that, by taking action at some point, they’ll take action with results. But for the time being, we’re not hearing anything,” she adds.
Respecting seasonal workers in Eastern Canada remains the central element of the future reform.
The demands include qualifying with 420 hours, for 35 weeks of benefits, benefits calculated based on 70% of the salary, and considering work in seasonal industries.
Meanwhile, approximately 30 Marinard workers who could not qualify for employment insurance when operations were suspended on September 1 still have no help.
“There are no plans or opportunities to help these workers in the short term,” says Dave Coulombe, Treasurer of the CSN Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Central Council, who met on October 10 with Fisheries and Oceans Minister Minister, Diane Lebouthillier, to assess the situation following what is now referred to as the shrimp crisis.
“We’re going to keep up the pressure and demand that the government help us reform employment insurance,” says Mr. Coulombe.
Luce Jean, president of the CSN-affiliated Marinard employees’ union, points out that several dozen people have been unemployed since September 1.
“Around thirty workers have been unable to qualify for unemployment benefits. We’ve had all sorts of promises since September 1. The federal government told us it would help us, also the provincial government, but in practice we’ve got nothing. We’ve been waiting 41 days for the results of these promises and we’ve got nothing. Forty-one days without pay is a long time,” explains Ms. Jean.
Nothing is currently planned in the event of a moratorium on shrimp fishing.
“She told us that when she has answers, she will speak publicly to inform us. There is no program in place at the moment, nothing on the table, nothing at all,” continues Mr. Coulombe.
“We heard Ms. Lebouthillier say ‘no’ to these workers. That’s why we’re continuing to exert pressure,” stresses Ms. Mongeon.