Employment Insurance and Benefits Information for Members (COVID-19)
editDear Member,
As new information emerges regarding COVID-19 we will do our best to inform you during these difficult and uncertain times. There have been quite a few questions associated with COVID-19 and the impact on the employment of our members. Our OE987 staff reps are here to assist you with any questions you may have and they can still be reached by phone or email.
Manitoba Employment Standards
To better inform yourself about the Manitoba Employment Standards please see the following link pertaining to layoffs and termination regarding COVID-19:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/doc,terminate-employment-after-apr-30-07,factsheet.pdf
Employment Insurance
In the event you are self-quarantined or sick the Federal Government is waiving the one-week waiting period for Employment Insurance (EI). They will take action only for sick or quarantined clients affected by the COVID-19 for which the application for sickness benefits has been filed. If you fall in this category you can call their toll-free number below and start the process. Please note that no other requests will be actioned on that phone line.
EI COVID-19 Telephone: 1-833-381-2725 (toll-free)
For more information about EI during the COVID-19 pandemic please see the following link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
The CERB would cover Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19, as well as working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children who are sick or at home because of school and daycare closures. The CERB would apply to wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). The new program would pay up to $2,000 per month for up to four months to workers whose income drops to zero because of the pandemic.
Canadians who are already receiving EI regular and sickness benefits as of today would continue to receive their benefits and should not apply to the CERB. If their EI benefits end before October 3, 2020, they could apply for the CERB once their EI benefits cease, if they are unable to return to work due to COVID-19.
The Government will have an online portal to apply for CERB available early April and have funds reaching the hands of Canadians by no later than mid-April.
For more information regarding CERB please see the following link:
As a reminder our office is closed to the public during this time. We are still available by phone and email to assist you.
Office: 204-786-8658
Email: Local987@oe987.mb.ca
Please do not hesitate to contact us during this time.
Sincerely,
Marc Lafond
Business Manager