Protecting Workers in Essential Manufacturing Workplaces Against COVID-19
Essential Manufacturing Workplaces must provide everything that could protect worker rights during COVID situation. The novel COVID-19 is a total shock to day-to-day life. Regular activities – where we go, the food we eat at restaurants, meeting with friends – are abruptly taken away from us.
Like other government, the federal government and medical experts have wisely recommended Canadians, including essential workers in manufacturing workplaces to keep socially apart, all to mitigate a massive wave of infections and gіvе оur hеаlth саrе ѕуѕtеmѕ a chance tо curb the vіruѕ.
While millions of workers are fired, another category falls under essential workers and are forced to work from home or even continue their work routine.
Responding to the act of protecting workers in essential manufacturing workplaces, the government came up with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) to hеlр business оwnеrѕ, еmрlоуееѕ, аnd ѕеlf-еmрlоуеd gеt muсh-nееdеd fіnаnсіаl rеlіеf.
What is Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)?
The CERB provides financial support to workers whose jobs have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme will assist Canadians who lost their source of livelihood due to coronavirus and deliver about $2000 for four weeks ($500 per week).
Who qualifies for the CERB?
Any worker who doesn’t qualify for employment insurance (EI) benefits.
Any worker who is 15 years of age, a Canadian resident, and have earned a minimum profit of $5,000 in 12 months before the date of application for the CERB funds.
Workers who earn up to $1,000 per month, such as gig economy or contract workers, or who have recurrent employment and have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic can now apply for the CERB for up to four months. Also, workers whо are runnіng оut оf еmрlоуmеnt insurance eligible for the CERB financial support.
“Maybe you’re a volunteer firefighter or a contractor who can pick up some shifts, or you have a part-time job in a grocery store. Even if you’re still working, or you want to start working again, you probably need help making ends meet,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
However, to be eligible for the CERB, two conditions must be met:
- The worker stopped working or lost their source of income for a minimum of 2 weeks (14 consecutive days) in four weeks due to effects on COVID-19.
- The worker did not receive any of the below:
- EI benefits
- Employment or self-employment such as freelancers, home-based businesses, and partnerships salary
iii. allowances under a provincial plan
FAQs
For how long can I get CERB?
As an eligible worker, you can get CERB for four months.
How can I apply for CERB?
You can apply directly online on the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website. Alternatively, you can apply through a toll-free telephone line, 1-800-959-2019.
If applying online, you’ll be required to sign in to CRA My Account. Then, proceed to COVID-19 Canada Emergency Response Benefit at the top of the page, select the period you want to apply for, confirm your details and submit.
How long will it take to get the money?
You should get paid within 10-days of applying and will be issued every four weeks.
Can I apply for CERB if I’m eligible for EI?
CERB and EI are entirely two different programs; you can only get benefits from just one of them. In other words, if you already get EI benefits, you do not qualify for CERB.
Duration of the CERB program?
The program should last for eight months, from March 15 to October 3, 2020.
